Where to watch the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships

Swimming 02 Apr 24

In an Olympic year, being crowned British champion means more than ever.

The Aquatics GB Swimming Championships kicks off this week, with athletes diving into the hallowed London 2012 Olympic pool in Stratford from 2-7 April.

But there's more than a national title on the cards, with the event playing a key role in Olympic qualification for Paris 2024.

Here's everything you need to know about the event:

Where is the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships

The six-day event will take place at the London Aquatics Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 April.

Heats will take place from 10am each morning whilst finals will run from 7pm until 9pm each night.

Ones to watch at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships

Adam Peaty is back in business and will be vying for a spot at his third Olympic Games in the 100m breaststroke.

The three-time Olympic champion became the first British swimmer to retain an Olympic title when he stormed to gold in Tokyo and is looking for a historic three-peat this summer.

Despite some time out of the pool since then, Peaty showcased his rise back to the top with World Championship bronze in February.

The men's 100m breaststroke final will take place on Tuesday evening.

Freya Colbert and Katie Shanahan are looking to book their tickets to their maiden Olympics in Paris and have set up one of the most exciting domestic rivalries in the 400m individual medley.

Reminiscent of the friendship in the pool between Hannah Miley and Aimee Wilmott, the two will battle it out for the title of British champion on Thursday night in what is sure to be an exciting race.

Shanahan, 19, will also be looking to qualify for Paris in the 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley alongside teammate Abbie Wood.

Wood finished fourth in the 200m IM in Tokyo and will be eager to take another bite at an Olympic final this summer.

But it is the final event of the championships that has everyone's eyes turned as the men's 200m freestyle wraps up the week in style.

Truth be told, the event is so close for British competitors that there are a possible six contenders all vying for the top spots.

Defending Olympic champion Tom Dean, 2023 world champion Matt Richards, Olympic silver medallist Duncan Scott and 2015 world champion James Guy are just four of those looking to get their hand on the wall first.

The quartet won gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay in Tokyo and have their sights set on defending the title this summer, but it's almost impossible to predict who will take the individual spots in Paris with upset and drama expected.

How does Olympic qualification work?

The Aquatics GB Swimming Championships will also double at the Olympic trials.

In simple terms, the top finisher in each A final, who meets the Paris 2024 entry times set by Aquatics GB, will be nominated for Olympic selection, while athletes meet the time and finish second will also be in the mix.

All nominations will then be subject to ratification by the British Olympic Committee before any athlete is officially selected.

Where to watch the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships?

Fans will have multiple options to watch the action live on TV, with BBC and Channel 4 YouTube both streaming the event.

Finals coverage each day will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website between 18:45 and 21:00.

Sportsbeat 2024

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