Student swimmers selected in British squad for 2017 World University Games

31 May 2017

University of Bath students Anna Hopkin and Jay Lelliott have been named in a 16-strong British swimming squad for the 2017 World University Games in Chinese Taipei.

It will be Lelliott’s second experience of the world’s second-biggest multi-sport competition after the Olympic Games – he also competed in 2015, winning 400m freestyle gold and 800m freestyle silver.

Sports Performance student Lelliott is supported by a Santander Sports Scholarship and is also a sporting ambassador for Team Bath partners MJ Church.

Hopkin, who studies Sport & Exercise Science, has enjoyed an excellent season which included winning 50m freestyle gold at the British Swimming Championships in Sheffield.

Anna Hopkin is congratulated by SIobhan-Marie O'Connor after winning 50m freestyle gold at the 2017 British Swimming Championships. MUST CREDIT: Georgie Kerr/British Swimming
Anna Hopkin is congratulated by SIobhan-Marie O’Connor after winning 50m freestyle gold at the 2017 British Swimming Championships. Credit: Georgie Kerr/British Swimming

She and Lelliott will be joined at the World University Games, taking place from August 19-30, by University of Bath swimming coach Mark Skimming.

Athletes were selected in alignment with British Swimming’s World Class Swimming programme strategy, which aims to expose young athletes to high-level international competitions on their journey towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic selection.

Lisa Bates, Head Coach of the British Universities & Colleges Sport [BUCS] swimming team, said: “World University Games is the second biggest multi-event stage compared to the Olympics. This is a great opportunity for athletes to get a similar exposure and experience that they could get at an Olympic Games.

“With this being year one of the Tokyo cycle, it’s certainly a great opportunity for those with their sights on Tokyo to understand the process of a multi-event Games and how to deliver within what may be a challenging environment.”

Click here to find out more about the swimming programme at the University of Bath, including public swim-fit sessions in the 50m London 2012 Legacy Pool.

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