British Trials, Day 6 Finals: Anna Hopkin Books Olympic Ticket In 100 Free To Clinch Double

Anna Hopkin: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow/Aquatics GB

British Trials, Day 6 Finals: Anna Hopkin Books Olympic Ticket In 100 Free To Clinch Double

Anna Hopkin booked a second swim at Paris 2024 after a clear win in the 100m freestyle at the Aquatics Centre in London.

Hopkin, who anchored the mixed medley relay quartet to victory at the Tokyo Olympics, stopped the clock in 53.33, 0.22 inside the QT of 53.55.

It followed her victory in the 50 free in which she also sealed an Olympic berth.

Eva Okaro set her second PB in a day to finish second in 54.46 with Freya Anderson third in 54.59 and still on the way back from glandular fever and Freya Colbert fourth in 55.10.

Evelyn Davis (55.25), Abbie Wood (55.26), Lucy Hope (55.35) and Isabella Hindley (55.59) completed the field but the combined times, however, were outside the 4×1 free time of 3:36.40 imposed by Aquatics GB.

Hopkin said:

“I’m happy with that overall.

“I mean two nomination times, two wins, i can’t really complain.

“I would have liked to have gone a little bit quicker, knowing that I had gone quicker at worlds it would’ve been nice to back that up.

“But I really can’t complain.”

It was Anderson’s first final of the week after she announced before trials that it was “unlikely” that she would compete.

The onset of illness stretches back to December last year which she initially thought was a viral infection but by the time of the Flanders Cup in January her health deteriorated.

Following a diagnosis, Anderson spent a few weeks in the water before building back to health and fitness.

She said:

“The thing with glandular fever is there is nothing you can really do to help it apart from rest.

“I have a good week of training and then the fatigue will hit, or one week will be a write-off. It is something I have to be gentle with myself.”

Of whether that is being kind to herself mentally, she added:

“I’ve kind of been alright with it.

“I have compared it to the start of Covid where there was nothing you can do. I just have to accept it.

“Everything happens for a reason sort of thing

“And it has brought a lot of lessons to be sure – just being kinder on myself and at the end of the day it’s only swimming.

“I know I put everything into it but I am more than just a swimmer at the end of the day.”

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