National performance director Chris Spice admitted British Swimming thought long and hard before naming the 62 athletes on their podium and podium potential squads.
A host of London 2012 Olympians are among the 22 podium athletes while there are 40 podium potential swimmers, both of which will receive direct support from UK Sport through the World Class Performance Programme for 2014.
All 62 will be given targeted financial assistance through receipt of an Athlete Personal Award in addition to training camp and competition opportunities, science and medicine services, as well as the support of the British Swimming World Class Programme staff.
Those podium athletes have been identified as having the potential to medal at the next Olympics in Rio in 2016 while the podium potential marks a longer term invested for those believed to be peaking at Tokyo 2020.
And British Swimming national performance director Spice said: “This programme of APA funding is designed to invest in future performance. It will provide valuable support to athletes for their continued preparation and development for success in 2016 and beyond.
“We took a very detailed look at athletes who we think can achieve their goals in Rio or Tokyo and competition for places has been extremely tough. I’d like to thank UK Sport and the National Lottery for this investment which ensures our athletes are among the best supported in the world.
“In view of our ongoing review with UK Sport we have decided to announce only 40 places in our Podium Potential squad for this coming season down from the 65 listed in our published policy.”
© Sportsbeat 2013