Epic Failure

Oh, yeah, I was meaning strongest here in terms of the depth of the full squad, rather than the top 4. I'm not convinced that Amber or Yemi will be as strong in the summer, given their college commitments. But we're in a strong place as a squad. There's the US ahead of us, and then the 2 superstars of the Dutch. But there's no reason we shouldn't be firmly in the medal mix come Paris.

They are definitely wrong. It looks like they copied her results from the 2022 meet. Definitely doesn't appear on the official results for this year - https://www.tfrrs.org/results/85657/Hurricane_Alumni_Invitational

If you look at the press release of the team announcement, Darren Campbell specifically says that Dina and Daryll will 'join the team in the summer'. So, in theory, they are playing this as an agreed absence. We'll see later in the year if that is the case, I guess... On the 4x4 women's side probably missing Jessie Knight from our strongest, as well as Yemi Mary John - although Yemi is in the same position as Amber with college commitments so you imagine that explains her absence as well.

I think if the decision for them not to go to is a collective agreement with UKA, they'll be fine. But I think if one of the athletes were to raise a stink themselves, that might not sit so well. Especially on the women's side - we saw them get the bronze without DAS last summer. And obviously we've seen how they have handled Prescod over the years. I'm just speculating out loud, for idle conversation though to be honest. Having the race practice is hopefully another reason to send a strong squad. Training is all well and good but there's nothing quite like the pressure of racing.

What about Alyson Bell and Aleeya Sibbons? Aren't they on the confirmation relay funding like Anning/John? Will be interesting whether Hughes/DAS or Neita are selected. Technically the selection policy only says that relay funded athletes have to make themselves available, so there's no specific requirement for those 3 to do so. But you would think they would want to stay on the selector's good side if they want to be involved in Paris...

Who would be their 4th leg? I'm guessing you're saying Karsten, Ingvaldsen and Jaeger for the other 3 legs? It'll be interesting to see what teams countries will send to the World Relays. With so limited other option to qualify, you would expect people to send strong teams. But that won't necessarily work for the individual athletes. Especially those from nations with limited strength in depth.

Even on the men's doubles side, no British man has got past the QFs at Roland Garros in recent years, let alone a British pair together. I'd be amazed if we got on the podium this year.

As someone who these days lives outside the normal broadcasting area of traditional UK tv, I was just grateful that I could watch the C4 youtube stream!

Nick posted last summer that he hoped to be back this year but that's the most recent news I've seen. He sounds like he had fairly serious heart issues, so certainly wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make it back. Health has to obviously come first!

A good list. One name that you've missed that I'd be tempted to add is Nick Miller in the hammer - his health is questionable but if he gets back competing at all this summer you would expect him to be in the top 5 in GB easily. Aside from that, the only quibble I would have is maybe tracking a few more juniors who could make the breakouts that you talk about - the likes of Phoebe Gill or Nia Wedderburn-Goodison could easily come on leaps and bounds this year.

Litchfield doesn't have a OQT, so right now if he does the individual 100m, nobody else can. I'd rather see where his 100m fly is at in the individual 100m before I commit to throwing him into the medley relay (which we would have to do if we don't swim him individually). Jervis hasn't always swum the 800m when he's qualified for it previously, so I'm not sure he will here. Same with Robinson in the pool. It's easy to say they will use it as a warm up, but they might prefer to stay rested. Guy pulled out of the 100m free final, so we don't know how fast he could have gone in that. But given how poorly Whittle went, I'd be more inclined to put Jimmy in there anyway. There's probably only a couple of tenths between them. And given that relay is day 1, I'm not even 100% convinced we should be using *any* reserves. All 4 of the main guys should be fresh. Joe Litchfield just went a 1.49. He was over 3.5 seconds slower than McMillan. McMillan being there probably allows some of the big guns to push slightly less. Litchfield probably doesn't give that choice. Hell, using Max is probably a wise choice. The only real argument for Whittle is if you think that he can get his form back and that the others are at their peak. It's possible but that seems more of a risk than choosing the folks who actually performed this week, at least for me.

Maybe. Obviously fatigue and holding your form come into play. Either way, I don't think there's wrong result whichever way it pans out.

We don't know for certain when they will announce it but the selection policy says that the athletes will be notified by Thursday at the latest.

So I drew up a draft team earlier today, and from what I saw tonight nothing changed. Some of this is known, some of it is my guesswork what will happen in Paris event wise: Men 50 free - Proud and Cohoon 100 free - Richards and Dean 200 free - Richards and Scott 400 free - Bird 1500m free - Jervis 100 back - Morgan and Marshall 200 back - Morgan and Greenbank 100 breast - Peaty and Wilby 100 fly - Litchfield 200IM - Scott and Dean 400IM - Litchfield Relay extras - Guy, McMillan Women 50 free - Hopkin 100 free - Hopkin and Anderson 200 free - Wood and Anderson 100 back - Dawson and Harris 200 back - Osrin and Shanahan 100 breast - Evans and Hanlon 100 fly - MacInnes 200 fly - MacInnes and Stephens 200IM - Wood and Colbert 400IM - Colbert and Shanahan Relay extras - Okaro, Hope I think they will run all 7 relays. Toby Robinson could get in the 800 or 1500 but I've not counted him because he'll be there anyway and I doubt he'll risk the pool events given that the open water is after them in the program. I've made some guesses based on workload and people who I think have FINA OQTs, obviously. Now to see how wrong I am when the selectors make their announcement this week.

I mean, it's possible that they will be. But until the team is announced, that's supposition. We all think they are going to be strict but there's no actual hard evidence they will be yet.

It's not that many other countries have that many sub 1.48 swimmers, it's that the other countries won't drop as many of their swimmers in the heats!! To make the final last year and in Tokyo took an average split of just under 1.47 (if my maths is right!) We'll see tonight where we're at but there's playing it safe and playing it *too* safe.

Jacob would do well to beat Bird tonight, as Jacob didn't make the A final! I suppose it is possible that he does a quicker time in the B final.

Eh, that team could make the final but I'm not sure easily. I can't see them only putting 1 of the final swimmers in the heats - in Tokyo they swam 3 of them. Same in Fukuoka. In Budapest they only swam 2 and they were much closer to not making the final. So I think you bank on 2 of the big 4 in the heat and 2 substitutes.

The more I read the selection policy, the more I think people are worrying too much about the relays and the relay time. I accept I could be wrong here, but for me the policy is pretty clear - if the top 4 collectively meet the time, they will go, no questions asked. That's even if Aquatics GB might not have chosen those specific swimmers themselves. Joe Litchfield is an example of that. He might not be their preferred candidate but he took the decision out of their hands. The first paragraph after the relay selections says the following: "Following the selection of athletes under 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 additional nominations may be made at the complete discretion of the PD and the GB Head Coach. As well as other considerations, the PD and GB Head Coach may use performance against times listed in Table 1 as a guide to assist the exercise of their discretion. In the event the PD and GB Head Coach are unable to agree then the PD’s nomination decision shall be final." There's nothing there that says they won't pick a relay team if they miss the time. There's just no guarantee that they will. The women's 4x100m free missed the time at the British Champs in 21 and they still took part in Tokyo. The policy was slightly different in 21 so it's not exactly the same, but I think the result will be similar. Hopefully the swimmers will take the decision out of the selectors hands anyway. Personally, I will say this - if Jacob Whittle gets on the train, he's a lucky boy. He's had a pretty terrible week. Conversely, if Kieran Bird does not go, he's super unlucky.

My worry is that Anna is in - say - 53.10 shape and Angharad repeats her season's best but no better. Although, as I said, I still think it will be enough in practice. The final day has many implications on it for sure, especially that men's 200m free. Could decide a whole bunch of things: 1) the make up of the 4x200m relay obviously and back ups for that event 2) the potential back up for the 4x100m - if Whittle doesn't go well, he hurts his chances. 3) the potential for Bird - a good 200m performance and he might get not only a relay back up but an individual 400m spot. 4) the potential for the 50m free - if Richards comes top 2 in the 200m, I can't see him doing all 3 freestyle and potentially 3 relays. Which would open up the spot for Cohoon in the 50. 5) whether Peters will get onto the team - if Guy goes poorly, Jacob might get the fly spot but if Jimmy goes top 6 I think it is curtains for Jacob. So many moving parts could be affected by that one race.

Doable but not a guarantee considering that would need a British record in the breaststroke and for Anna to be near her best. Personally I think they'll field a medley if one of the breaststroke ladies gets the individual nod even if the relay split is not quite there. They'll have all the other legs there anyway.

I guess the 'positive' is that we know Guy has it in him to do a great relay split. Whereas previously we were grateful that Greenbank was getting sub-54 splits consistently!

All part of Jimmy Guy's customary attempt to lull everyone into false low expectations....honest.

Considering Medi's situation it would hardly be crazy. Most people were surprised that she even took part in these champs at all.

I really can't understand the support for taking Peters AND Guy, unless Jimmy qualifies individually in the 200m free. I'd rather use Jacob's spot and give that to either Bird or Blocksidge. One has the obvious huge upside of getting better as they age. The other outperformed expectations at trials. There should be some reward for doing that, at least for me. Obviously, Aquatics GB probably won't see it like that.