British Trials, Day 2 Prelims: Oli Morgan Rattles British 100 Back Record In 52.87
Oli Morgan was just 0.14 outside Liam Tancock’s British 100 back record as he posted a time of 52.87 on the second day of prelims at the Olympic trials in London.
It was the standout performance of the morning session of the six-day meet which runs from 2-7 April at the Aquatics Centre which hosted the pool programme at London 2012.
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Women’s 1500m Freestyle
Emily Forwood headed the slower heats in 17:11.43 ahead of Emma Price (17:12.83) and Phyllida Britton (17:18.22).
The fastest heat will launch the evening session where Amelie Blocksidge has the chance to book herself on to the Olympic team aged 14.
Men’s 200m Butterfly
Thomas Beeley was the only man inside 2mins, booking lane four in 1:59.27 ahead of Joshua Gammon (2:00.01) and James Woodward (2:00.53).
Women’s 200m Breaststroke
Kara Hanlon headed the field in 2:26.69 with Sienna Robinson next home (2:27.54) and Gillian Davey third through in 2:28.22.
Men’s 100m Backstroke
Morgan split 25.54/27.33 to post the second-fastest time by a Briton in history, behind only Tancock and his national record of 52.73 at the 2009 World Championships during the peak of the supersuit era.
He becomes only the third British man inside 53secs, joining Tancock and Chris Walker-Hebborn who clocked 52.88 at the 2015 British Championships in the very same Aquatics Centre.
Morgan, who won the backstroke treble at last year’s British Championships, told Swimming World:
“It obviously hurt but it’s really exciting. It’s quite nice being in the last heat seeing what everyone else can go.
“This morning was about putting a statement out there: I did it last year and same again this year. I want to be the fastest all the time.”
The Birmingham University swimmer was six when Tancock set the national record during a career that encompassed world records, global and Commonwealth titles as well as trips to the European podium.
Morgan tickled the record which has stood for almost 15 years and said:
“It’d be lovely to get you know: you grow up watching those type of swimmers and to be almost there breaking their records, it’s exciting.
“But 52.8 is quick but it’s not there on the world stage and that’s where I want to be.
“So progresses keep going on and on, always pushing the boundaries.”
The 20-year-old will return on Wednesday evening for the final, offering little time for recovery but ample to identify what needs changing.
“We’ll have a look back, there’ll be things to work on all the time.
“Just look at that, see what there is to work on, same mentality going in, smash it, race harder.”
Jonathon Marshall booked lane four in 53.47 with Matthew Ward setting an age group record of 54.21, 0.01 ahead of Olympic and world 200 back medallist Luke Greenbank.
Also through: Brodie Williams (54.41), Jonathon Adam (54.68), Alexander Painter (54.71) and Charlie Brown (54.95)
Women’s 100m Backstroke
Kathleen Dawson was the only woman inside the minute mark when she posted 59.81 in the sixth heat.
The European record-holder is joined by Lauren Cox (1:00.77), Medi Harris (1:00.92) and Honey Osrin (1:01.16).
Blythe Kinsman, who won European junior silver in the 50 in 2023, is fifth through in 1:01.37 followed by Pia Murray (1:01.73), Holly McGill (1:01.79) and Alicia Wilson (1:01.82).