TeamGB

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.

Just noticed that the entry lists for the Europeans next week have been released. Men's - https://www.uec.ch/resources/2024 Event/track elite/entry_men.pdf Women's - https://www.uec.ch/en/event/215/2024-uec-track-elite-european-championships#:~:text=Entry list Women Elite (including reserve riders) Having a quick look, Hayter returns for , but no Ganna for .

Diving 2019 Worlds - Men's 3m - 3rd - Men's 10m - 7th - Men's 3m Synchro - 2nd - Men's 10m Synchro - 3rd - Women's 3m - 8th - Women's 10m - 12th - Women's 3m Synchro - 5th - Women's 10m Synchro - 6th 2023 Worlds - Men's 3m - 3rd in 2022 but didn't compete in 2023 - Men's 10m - 4th - Men's 3m Synchro - 2nd - Men's 10m Platform - 4th - best pair not competing - Women's 3m - 9th - Women's 10m - 5th - Women's 3m Synchro - 2nd - Women's 10m Synchro - 2nd 2020 Olympics - Qualified full team 2024 Olympics - Likely to qualify full team. Despite an equal number of medals, the number of strong medal chances has increased, especially on the women's side.

Artistic Swimming 2019 Worlds - 14th in Duet, - Did not enter a Team. 2023 Worlds - 5th/8th in Duet, - 10th/13th in Team. 2020 Olympics - Qualified duet. 2024 Olympics - Likely to qualify duet, - Outside chance of a team. Funding - 24% increase. Overall the development has be positive both results and funding wise.

As we are heading into an Olympic year, I thought it might be interesting to look at the growth and development or decline of all the sports at the next olympics from a British perspective. However my knowledge of the actual sporting federations is limited, so my development rankings will mainly be done on results. (Specifically 2019 vs 2023), but feel free to add any comments you may have.

Any idea whats happened to Brad Hall (Bobsleigh)?

This is also the same England that beat Sweden 4:0 and Norway 8:0, and I'm sure we can agree that Scotland are worse than both those teams.

You're right, but if Netherlands had got into that position vs Scotland, then I'm sure that the scottish desire would have gone also.

I agree with the second paragraph, and I think that if UEFA want to add any validity to the competition they need to add VAR, as there have been many contentious decisions affecting all teams in this group, which most certainly would have affected the group table.

Seems a bit unfair, the match in Sunderland was a bit of an anomaly, but there is a huge gap between England and Scotland. Additionally, in the UK media, there has been a lot of talk about how scandalous it would be if Scotland gave it to England. Watching the game, It is unfair to say that Scotland haven't been trying as they most definitely have been. They it may look like that haven't been trying during the last 3 goals but it has been unrelenting pressure from England, They have been laser focused on this and clearly want it, I don't think they have celebrated or even smiles after any of the goals, just bringing in back to the center circle for a rapid kickoff.