British Trials, Day 3 Finals: Freya Colbert Books Paris Berth In 400IM; Katie Shanahan Also Inside Cut

Freya Colbert thumbs up 400m IM [MorganHarlowBritishSwimming]

Freya Colbert: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow/British Swimming

British Trials, Day 3 Finals: Freya Colbert Books Paris Berth In 400IM; Katie Shanahan Also Inside Cut

Freya Colbert booked a trip to her first Olympics following victory in the 400IM with Katie Shanahan also inside the cut at the British trials in London.

Colbert led throughout and despite Shanahan’s best effort on the breaststroke leg, the Loughborough athlete moved away to take victory in a PB of 4:34.01, well inside the 4:37.84 qualification time.

Shanahan touched in a PB of 4:36.67 to also dip inside the cut for Paris 2024 with Beatrice Varley taking bronze in 4:46.34.

Colbert splits: 1:02.37/2:11.27/3:30.84/4:34.01 (1:03.17)

Shanahan splits: 1:03.50/2:12.55/3:31.90/4:36.67

Colbert, coached by Dave Hemmings at Loughborough, moves top of the 2024 rankings with her time that was more than three seconds quicker than the 4:37.14 in which she won gold at the World Championships in Doha in February and 1.27secs inside her time for fifth at the 2023 worlds in Fukuoka.

It was the 15th swiftest performance by a British woman with Hannah Miley atop the domestic rankings with her 4:31.33 national record from March 2009 and Aimee Willmott’s best of 4:33.01 at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Both Miley and Willmott were present at the Aquatics Centre with the Scot presenting the medals and the Englishwoman on commentary.

It was a second victory for Colbert who headed the 200 free on the opening night although she doesn’t intend to do the individual event despite going inside the cut.

She said:

“I am really pleased. Tuesday was good and it was nice to get my place on that team and really improve the relay but I knew I was in such good shape and i really wanted to PB and wanted to get closer to that British record.

So it was a little bit bitter-sweet but to swim a PB here tonight I am really happy and I just wanted to take that step forward to move closer to what the girls did to make the podium at worlds last year.

“So I am pleased with that and it’s a big confidence boost going into Paris.”

Shanahan, the 2022 Commonwealth bronze medallist, added:

“I’m so, so happy. I knew I could maybe do that time, but to get the time, I’m absolutely delighted. I’m almost relieved it’s over. I was quite worried about it as I’ve not had the best experience of the 400IM, it’s a weight off my shoulders.

“I’ve got the 200 back tomorrow and 200IM on Saturday. I’m excited for them and I’ve got a good chance in those events and I’m looking forward to them. It was weird this morning, I’m not used to the pool, but it’s kitted out amazing with the LED lights and the crowd is amazing. I’m excited to get back in the water and race again.”

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