Britain’s next generation of elite swimmers will compete in two international competitions as part of a new philosophy aimed at providing greater opportunities and experience.
"The athletes will gain valuable experience by travelling together and taking part in international competitions"
- Tim Jones
Small groups of athletes will be selected to take part in the Arena Grand Prix from 15-18 May in Charlotte, USA, and the Japan Open in Tokyo in June.
This marks a new direction for the World Class Programme which aims to create more racing opportunities while exposing athletes to the pressures of performing in high quality competitions abroad.
Tim Jones, Head of Performance Pathway for Swimming, said: “Our aim is to create a set of bespoke opportunities that will help expose some of our developing athletes to new and sometimes uncomfortable environments.
“In the past the junior and senior programmes have felt quite separate. By competing at events such as those in the USA and Japan, we hope to nurture a group of robust athletes who will gain valuable experience by travelling together as a team and taking part in international competitions.
“This will not only help prepare them for life as a successful senior international, but also create an integrated development pathway by bringing the two programmes closer together.”
The first event on the new calendar will be the Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte. Six athletes will be travelling to the USA to compete, all of whom recently took part in the British Gas Swimming Championships in Glasgow.
Jones said: “This is a great opportunity for the athletes concerned to keep some momentum to their season following the British Gas Championships and to make their mark on the international stage.
“We’re hoping the Charlotte Grand Prix and the Japan Open will be the first of many opportunities available to small groups of elite swimmers as they develop towards becoming seasoned senior internationals.”
British swimmers to race at Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte
- Charlie Boldison (University of Stirling)
- Chris Steeples (City of Manchester)
- Jessica Lloyd (City of Manchester)
- Jonathan Carlisle (British Gas National Swimming Centre – Bath)
- Lewis Coleman (City of Sheffield)
- Rebecca Guy (City of Manchester)
The team for the Tokyo Open will be announced in June.