Aquatics GB Swimming Championships/Olympic Trials 2024 - REPORT
The 2024 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships, formerly known as the British Swimming Championships took place at the iconic London Aquatics Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 2nd-7th April 2024, with the event playing a key role in the selection of both our Paralympic and Olympic pool swimming teams, heading to Paris next summer in search of more historic successes on the sport's biggest stages.
This inaugural version of the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships saw Olympic and Paralympic swimming event schedules running concurrently in the same programme across six days of heats and finals sessions. The para-swimming events were run with multi-classification competitions.
This year we had 2 swimmers qualify for the biggest and best National competition of the year, racing against the top swimmers not only in Great Britain but also the world. Amy Kenworthy was racing in the 1500 Freestyle and Lois Inch in the 200 Breastroke both of which were on day 2 of competition. Amy then returned on day 3 for the ladies 400 Individual Medley.
Day 2
Amy was first to race in the female 1500 freestyle, and as usual was in great spirits and looking forward to racing 30 lengths of the LC pool. Amy swam a good race battling hard against the other 9 competitors, except for one other swimmer who was way out in front. Amy finished the heat in a new Seasons Best of 17:52.89 which was good enough for 37th overall in Great Britain. Amy’s swim was an improvement on her ranking she went in with, it was a positive outcome and one of which will spur her on the following day.
Next to swim was Lois Inch in the female 200 Breastroke. Lois was racing in the second heat in the end lane closest to the athletes seating. Lois had a decent swim of the 4 lengths of the LC pool, racing her very best against the other 9 competitors. Lois felt good in the water, touching the pad in a time of 2:44.63 which like Amy was an improvement on her ranking which she went into the competition with. I am sure Lois will now be switching her attention and looking forward to the Regional Championships which begin in just over 2 weeks time.
Day 3
On Day 3 Amy was returning to the London Aquatics Centre to race in the female 400 Individual Medley. Amy again was super happy to challenge herself against the best swimmers in Great Britain. Amy had a good swim in her 400 IM, as always giving her very best. Amy finished the race in a new season best time of 5:10.67 and good enough for 55th in Great Britain. I am positive Amy will be targeting the sub 5 minute mark at the British summer Championships.
Well done to both Amy and Lois, to qualify for the Olympic Trials is a phenomenal achievement in itself. Very few swimmers reach such a high level and this should be massively applauded. Both girls should be very proud of what they have achieved on the very highest national level.
We also had representation in London from Reece Craghill, our very own judge. Reece was donning the whites as a judge for both heats and finals for 3 days of the competition. What a great experience to officiate on the highest National level.
If anyone from our club would like to start their officiating journey please get in touch as it is a fantastic way to get involved in the sport and a whole lot of fun.
Just over 2 weeks until the Regional Championships.
See you at the pool.
Dan.
