Elite British Swimmers Set For Second Manchester Meet Ahead Of Olympic Trials

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Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL

Elite swimmers will converge once more on Manchester Aquatics Centre from 12-14 March for the British Swimming Invitation Meet.

It follows February’s Manchester International Swim Meet (MISM) which was held at the same venue in the city in north-west England and offers Britain’s top prospective Olympians and Paralympians the opportunity for further racing before the April trials for the Tokyo Games.

The British Swimming Championships were this week renamed the British Swimming Selection Trials and will go ahead next month at the London Aquatics Centre with reduced numbers and a focus on Tokyo.

According to a press release from British Swimming, the March meet “will follow the same protocols, with a robust testing process that requires the return of a negative lateral flow test upon arrival at the meet hotel and entering into the competition bubble.

“Those involved will then be required to confine themselves to the meet hotel, the Manchester Aquatics Centre and private transport for the duration.

“Face coverings and social distancing will be mandatory at all times, other than when swimmers are in the water.”

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Abbie Wood: Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL

The MISM was the first chance for swimmers to compete in long-course waters and there were several standout performances.

Molly Renshaw matched the British 200m breaststroke record of 2:22.08, Adam Peaty went 58.82 over 100br and Abbie Wood continued the trajectory that has seen her make waves in international waters by going second British all-time over 200IM plus a 200 free victory and second in the 200br as she swam into 2:22 territory.

Link to Renshaw speaking to Swimming World about Manchester, coach Dave Hemmings and the mental and physical legacy of the ISL.

S3 para-swimmer Ellie Challis set British records in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle, whilst Jordan Catchpole broke the national S14 record in the 50 free, among five victories over three days.

British Swimming Chief Executive Jack Buckner has warned against complacency.

“The Manchester International was a definite triumph – the level of planning and risk mitigation that went into getting the event off the ground, and then running it safely and smoothly, was unbelievable – I am extremely proud of what we managed to achieve thanks to the cooperation of everyone involved, from staff and partners through to athletes, volunteers and officials.

“That being said, we must be extremely vigilant against complacency. Just because we pulled it off once doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. We have tightened a couple of our procedures further still, but it will need the same diligence from everyone to run another successful meet.”

Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, said:

“We’re extremely pleased and proud of the successful, safe staging of the Manchester International Swim Meet and stand ready to host this second elite event for the nation’s top swimmers, with strict COVID protocols in place throughout to protect all participants, officials and volunteers.

“Working with British Swimming in this way, with the City of Manchester Swim Team playing a big part in making the event happen through their support, is further proof of our commitment to swimming and Team GB’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympics.”

The event will once again be livestreamed via the British Swimming YouTube channel.


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