Tokyo-bound swimmers back on international stage as European Championships provide another chance to stake Olympic claims

17 May 2021

The nine University of Bath-based swimmers selected for the Tokyo Olympic Games will have chance to test themselves against international opposition this week as they represent Britain at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The continental competition also offers swimmers like Holly Hibbott and Emily Large another opportunity to set the Tokyo qualification standard after they narrowly missed out at the British Swimming Selection Trials in April.

Kieran Bird, who took nearly five seconds off his personal best at the Trials to secure his Team GB spot, is first in action on Monday as he competes in the 400m freestyle heats. University of Bath alumna Anna Hopkin also races on the opening morning in the 50m freestyle.

Bill Whiteley Sporting Scholar Tom Dean and British Swimming National Centre Bath team-mate Matt Richards contest the 100m freestyle on Tuesday, while a busy Wednesday sees Large in the 200m butterfly, Brodie Williams in the 100m backstroke, and Freya Anderson and Hibbott in the women’s 200m freestyle.

The men’s heats on Thursday will feature Dean, Richards and James Guy, all of whom dipped under the Olympic qualification standard in an outstanding final at the Trials. Jacob Peters also goes in the 50m butterfly that day.

Hopkin and Anderson contest the 100m freestyle on Friday, with Williams and Bird also returning to the pool in the 200m backstroke and 800m freestyle respectively.

Former World Champion Ben Proud, who is coached by University of Bath Head of Swimming Mark Skimming, races in the 50m freestyle on Saturday, while Guy and Peters contest the 100m butterfly having record a Bath 1-2 at the Olympic Trials.

A busy week concludes on Sunday with Williams racing in the 400m individual medley and Hibbott contesting the 400m freestyle, in which she missed the Olympic qualification standard by just a second last month.

Bath-based swimmers, including Sports Performance alumni Calum Jarvis, will also be seeking podium places in relays throughout the week.

Click here to read more about the swimmers selected to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

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