TeamBath swimmer Mark Foster will become the eldest competitor ever to have competed at a World Championships when he takes to the blocks in Manchester in April - just a month off his 38th birthday. 

The ninth FINA World Championships (25m) will be Foster's eighth of a career entering its 22nd year, yet recent performances have shown that within that time he has lost little of his obvious talent and speed.
 
He is one of three University of Bath swimmers named today (Thursday) by British Swimming in the GB squad for the event, which will be the first swimming World Championships to be staged in British.
 
Foster (pictured above) is joined in the squad by breaststroker Darren Mew and freestyler Matt Tutty (below), who is studying at the University of Bath for an MSc in Management.   Foster has already won six World Championship (25m) titles, three silver and a bronze over the past two decades.
 
And in an Olympic year he is excited at the quality of the field promising to attend with many of those that will be present in Beijing first going head-to-head in the Manchester Evening News Arena.
 
"It's an amazing experience and one that I'm really excited about," said Foster. "How often does anyone get the opportunity to represent their country within their own country? It's something that athletes dream about and has been in the forefront of my mind since 2004 when Manchester was announced as the venue.
 
"In my career I've been very lucky to have competed in 1986, 1995, 1998 and 2002 at major international events within Britain but this is the first time we've ever had a World Championships.
 
"I was desperate to race in Manchester. There aren't many opportunities to compete at a major international meet in front of a home crowd and to be honest it's likely to be my last.
 
"As a team we will be looking to stand on that podium with the British flag behind us and to inspire others to not only follow in our wake but also to get involved in the sport of swimming. “
 
Foster, who hasn't ruled out the possibility of qualifying for the Olympics next year, feels Manchester could be his final major performance in Britain.
 
"My first international was the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh so therefore it would be nice to finish off at the World Championships in Manchester 22 years later, but it's an Olympic year and anything could happen,” he said.
 
As the eldest member of the British squad Foster appreciates the role he can play in passing on his experience to his team mates who he feels are the best group of young swimmers to come out of Britain in a number of years.
 
"We've got a lot of exciting talent emerging in Britain and we need to give them what they need to make sure they complete their progression into world class athletes. I hope to help that process," said Foster.
 
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its TeamBath brand, its success is based on the expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities, used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
 
 
Members of the media who require further information can contact the TeamBath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or see the TeamBath website at www.teambath.com

Posted: Thursday 22nd November 2007