TeamGB

UK sport released a list of major events they want to host in the next decade. https://www.uksport.gov.uk/-/media/files/events/confidential-uk-sport-international-event-hosting-opportunities-march-2024.ashx?la=en&hash=C1340F6E1FD212E2B309E76C1927150C On first glance it looks promising, especially the amount of team sports world cups, as well as sports where GB aren't as strong, such as climbing/weightlifting. However, my biggest peeve has to be the lack of swimming events. Behind cycling, it brought home the most Golds in Tokyo, but the UK has never hosted a world championships. Obviously I'm biased but I think we need to host some aquatics championships in the near future.

Are the judges affiliated to a political party? In the UK, we have elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (baisically the leader of the police in a region), and they normally stand for a party, which for me I hate as I feel we need to keep politics and beaurocracy out of certain aspects of life.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/68463924

Even the last olympics qualifier was better than this one, and that was held in 2 different countries a year apart.

Does anyone have the schedule of events?

I don’t mind Russian athletes who are against the war competing, but I disagree with those athletes who are pro war competing. One could definately argue that the war in Ukraine is a more clear cut conflict, with Russia being the agressor, wheras Israel and Hamas are both at fault. If there were any Israeli athletes who said they supported the conflict then they deserve to be booed, and the same for any Palestinians. Gorbenko’s family is from Ukraine, and so I have no doubt she knows the loss that is involved in a conflict. If you go by principle and you ban Israel because you ban Russia, then really you should ban Palestinians too, and then you go down a rabbit hole where everyone is banned and everyone hates each other. This booing only adds to this hate, and really, this polarisation of groups is contributing to increased violence in the world, so the booing needs to stop for everyone.

I'm not "talking shit", I'm just giving my perspective. I don't agree with the war, and to be honest I'm not a fan of either Israel or Palestine, but you can't say that she doesn't care about 2 million lives, it's just that what can she do to change it. Sport and politics always mix, for better or for worse, but booing someone for where they are born is blatant racism. In 1974, Iran hosted the Asian games, but the then Dictator said that there should be no marathon as it is based on Christianity and not Islamic, so you can't really say the West is the only one mixing sport and politics. Another point which fascinates me is that 'Qataris don't care about swimming'. If that is the case, then why are the worlds being held here if there is no domestic fanbase. Oh wait, you guessed it money and politics, which further accentuates my point that sport and politics will always be intertwined, but that racism and this kind of behaviour towards an individual for where she was born is never OK.

Bit rich, ever heard of ISIS or Al Quaeda, or the Taliban. But that's not the point, Anastasia Gorbenko is not a Israel fighter, she is a 20 year old who should be happy she has won a world medal for the first time, but that experience has ruined it.

Not sure where to put this, but Amelie Blocksidge swam some fast times this week to open her season at the Lancashire county champs. 100m Freestyle - 59.23 200m Freestyle - 2:04.44 400m Freestyle - 4:15.84 800m Freestyle - 8:34.74 1500m Freestyle - 16:10.04 200m Fly - 2:18.66 200m IM - 2:20.18 400m IM - 4:48.06.

As we are heading into Doha, where my hopes will likely be affirmed or destroyed, I thought I would give my 2 cents on what Paris could hold for British Swimming. Men’s 50m freestyle - Ben Proud is definately a contender having won Gold in 2022 and Bronze in 2023. Currently, I think Mcevoy has put gold out of reach, but he certainly has the ability to throw it away. (100m freestyle Rio 2016). Lewis Burras’ PB would have got 4th in Fukuoka (0.1 off bronze), so he is an outside chance for a medal, but fairly unlikely. Men’s 100m freestyle - This event is stacked, and there are around 10 athletes who could win. Matt Richards is definately up there, although it would require several off form swims from the likes of Chalmers, Popovici, Pan and Alexy. Men’s 200m freestyle - If Popovici is in form then we can say goodbye to the gold medal, if not, then we have a chance of another 1-2. I think that the domestic battle will help them push each other, and I am hopeful that we might see a Brit under 1:44. Men’s 400-1500m freestyle - With the likes of Wiffen, Hafanoui, Finke, Short, Paltrinieri and Wellbrock the won’t be a British distance medal in Paris. The only way is that if Pardoe doubles up, although that is a long shot and even if he does it would still be incredibly tough. Men’s fly- The emergence of Peters does give Guy a rest, but I think medal chances are slim to none. A prime Guy could challenge, especially without Milak and Dressel, but I think Jimmy will probably focus more on the 200m free this year. I did hear that Richards wanted to swim some fly this year, so you never know. Men’s Backstroke - Greenbank looked good in Otopeni, so he can definately challenge for a medal. With the absence of Rylov and Kolesnikov the 200m will be a bit more open this year. Ollie Morgan might be able to drop enough to get into the final this time, and maybe even the Back leg on the medley relay, but a medal seems too much of a stretch. Men’s Breaststroke - Peaty may not be in the form he once was, but I think he can still challenge for a medal. Wilby on the other hand seems to be in decline from his 2019 silver. The strength in the 200m means it is unlikely for a medal, but you never know. Men’s IM - Scott and Dean can certainly challenge in the 200m, but I think Marchand and Shun are too good for gold to be an option. Shun is inconsistent so the same podium from Fukuoka could be on the cards. I doubt Scott will swim the 400m, but the reemergence of Litchfield to the squad could be a small medal chance, but only for bronze, and it requires a lot of misfires by other swimmers for this to happen. Men’s free Relays- The 4x200 has to be the favourite by far, and the 4x100 should contend if they qualify. There are 4 nations who could all swim under 3:10 on their day, so it could be tough. Men’s Medley Relay- This really depends on Adam wether we can challenge for Gold, a mid 58 Adam could challenge for Bronze. Womens 50-200m freestyle - Anna may contend for a medal in the ‘splash and dash’ but I think Sjoestrom already has gold. There are several swimmers ahead of her but you never know. Anna and Freya both PB’ed in the 100m in Otopeni but I think that like the men’s the global strength in depth is too much for them. Freya could sneak a bronze in the 200m but she would need to drop significantly. Womens 400-1500m Freestyle- To say our chances in slim is an understatement. Blocksidge has dropped a lot this year, but I think it might be tough for her to qualify. Women’s fly - No chances in the 100m, but Laura Stephens could medal in the 200m, It is an outside chance, but there pressure of an olympic final can do strange things, especially in such a taxing event. Women’s Backstroke - Regan and Kaylee are miles above everyone else so Gold and silver have already gone. If Kathleen Dawson returns to form she could sneak a bronze but I doubt it. In the 200m, Medi and Katie could medal but again, I’m not confident. Women’s Breaststroke - Since Molly retirement, there have been no medal contending British Breaststrokers, Women’s IM - Abbie Wood was so close in Tokyo, but I feel like the field has moved away since then. Although there is a chance Mcintosh swims the 800m free instead of the 200m IM, and as Abbie may have had a lighter schedule than some other swimmer( the race is on the last day), you can never say never. In the 400, Freya is about 4 seconds of bronze, but those time drops arent impossible. Women’s relays - The 4x100 and 4x200m were both 4th in Fukuoka, but DQs are always possible. The Women’s medley squandered a huge chance in Tokyo, and I’m not even confident if they can qualify by British Swimmings standards. Mixed Medley Relay - I think the Chinese are too strong in this event but a medal could be on the cards depending on Adam. Overall, I am fairly confident heading into Paris, and there is a Chance we improve on Tokyo, however, it have a sinking feeling that we will beat out Rio record of the most 4th places. Feel free to comment on my judgements, as I’m sure im being a bit too optimistic.

I can't wait for Paris. Everything seems to be falling into place.

Lois Toulson, who will also double up with Andrea in the Synchro

I’m just too lazy to type 4 extra letters.

British Media are reporting that Crisp got the EU quota

Who does the reallocated Oceania quota go to?

@Gianlu33 I know nothing about Artistic Swimming, but how did that routine look compared to the best in the world?

The finals session will be on youtube

Tarling is entered as part of the GB quartet in the team pursuit qualifying.

@Rafa Maciel Do you know where to find the specific medal breakdown?

Just thought I should throw this into the mix. https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/josh-tarling-aims-to-combine-road-and-track-at-paris-2024-olympics/

Thanks, it did cross my mind that only 2 counted but I wasn't sure.

I was looking at the entry lists for the upcoming Nations cup in Adelaide, and there is no Chinese team in the men's team pursuit. I'm not sure if this is correct but if so then that is basically saying that the Chinese federation aren't that focused on qualifying for this event at all. Unless I'm missing something.

Never mind they've just been added.

No on the start list in the Women's team pursuit. Any ideas why?

Update, take this list with a pinch of salt. Katie Archibald is selected here, but not on the British cycling website. I'm sure there are probably more from other nations.