Adam Peaty unleashed the fifth-fastest 100 breaststroke in history and Duncan Scott set a British 200IM mark of 1:55.90 on the first night of finals at the British Swimming Selection Trials at London Aquatics Centre.
Aimee Willmott will compete at her third Olympics after the gutsiest of swims which saw her race against the clock in the 400IM although there will be no fourth Games for Hannah Miley.
Women’s 200 Free; Anderson Makes First Olympics
British record: 1:55.54, Jo Jackson, 2009 World Championships
Consideration time: 1:57.28
Photo Courtesy: MIKE LEWIS / ISL
Anderson came in with a PB of 1:56.06 from Flanders in January 2020, a time which sees her sit third all-time in Britain behind Jackson and Siobhan O’Connor’s 1:55.82 en-route to silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
O’Connor is not competing this week after ulcerative colitis had prevented her from training.
It was Lucy Hope who went out quickest, leading at the halfway stage in 57.02 ahead of Abbie Wood – resplendent in a pink suit – in 57.45 and Anderson turning 57.59.
Anderson did the damage on the third 50 as she moved through to first at the final turn in 1:27.25 and came home to stop the clock at 1:56.80, well within the consideration time.
Wood was second in a PB of 1:57.48 – 0.20 outside the cut – with Hope third in 1:57.65.
Anderson admitted she would have liked a quicker time but nodded to all but making her first Olympic team.
She said:
“It feels really good to get under the time.
“My PB is from a year ago so it’s good to get back to where I was.”
Men’s 400 Free; Bird Takes Flight With Huge PB
British record: 3:43.75, James Guy, 2015 World Championships
Consideration time: 3:46.78
A last 50 of 26.92 from Kieran Bird saw him take over the lead from Tom Dean at the final turn to swim away from the field and stop the clock at 3:46.00 for a PB by almost five seconds.
Dan Jervis had qualified first but it was Dean who went out like a rocket with a first 50 of 25.61.
Dean led at halfway by 0.30 from Jervis with Bird a further 0.2 adrift with the same order at 300.
Come the final turn and Dean was in pole but he took a huge breath off the wall and Bird – who had moved into second – went past him to stop the clock for a real surprise outcome.
Bird’s main focus on training with coach Jol Finck at the National Centre Bath had been on the 800 free and his time was a four-second PB.
He said:
“I’m just over the moon that the work from all the years I’ve been swimming has come to fruition.
“It’s very unexpected and that felt great.”
There was also a message to those back at home who had been such an integral part of his journey so far.
“Thank you to mum and dad: just for all the help they’ve given me over the years.”
Women’s 400IM; Willmott Makes Third Games
Aimee Willmott: Photo Courtesy: Swim England
British record: 4:31.33, Hannah Miley, 2009 British Championships
Consideration time: 4:36.68
Willmott booked her spot with the gutsiest of swims which saw her driving down the final metres to stop the clock at 4:35.70.
The Commonwealth champion dominated from the outset with clear water between her and the rest of the field throughout.
Split 1:02.88/2:12.17/3:30.81/4:35.70
Lily Booker was second in a PB of 4:43.40, one place ahead of Miley who clocked 4:45.00.
Miley had been seeking a fourth Olympic appearance but it was not to be with shoulder surgery completely disrupting her preparation.
Willmott said:
“It was tough. I knew it was going to be tough going into the race, me versus the clock, so I just really tried to get into my own race and thought, if I’m dying but I’ve gone for it and I miss the consideration time then so be it – I just had to give myself a chance.
“It’s kind of strange because, after Rio, I didn’t think I’d still be swimming towards to Tokyo – and then it’s been another year, it’s been a five-year cycle. It’s a strange one, but I’m so happy to go under the time, fingers crossed it’s enough and I can finish on a high in Tokyo.”
Men’s 100m Breaststroke; Peaty Makes 15th Journey To Land Of 57
Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: Arena
British record: 56.88 (WR), Adam Peaty, 2019 World Championships
Consideration time: 59.23
Peaty unleashed a time of 57.39 – the fifth-fastest in history as he consolidated the top-20 performances of all time over two lengths.
James Wilby was also inside the cut in 58.76 with Ross Murdoch third in 59.51.
Peaty and Wilby had been pre-selected to Team GB with Scott and Luke Greenbank but their performances booked their slots in the 100br.
Women’s 100 Fly; Jones Flies To Tokyo
British record: 57.25, Ellen Gandy, 2012 British Championships
Consideration time: 57.92
Photo Courtesy: Team Wales
Harriet Jones booked her spot in 57.79 as she continued the form that has already brought her the Welsh 50 fly record this year.
The City of Cardiff swimmer split 26.67/31.12 to get her hand to the wall first ahead of the fast-finishing Laura Stephens whose time of 57.98 was an agonising 0.06 outside the cut.
Jones said: “I always wanted to do it so I’m super-happy now.”
Men’s 200IM; British Record For Scott
British record: 1:56.64, Max Litchfield, 2017 World Championships
Consideration time: 1:58.32
Duncan Scott of the London Roar; Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis/ISL
Scott set a new British record of 1:55.90 to head to the top of the world rankings with second-placed Joe Litchfield also booking a trip to Tokyo in 1:57.74.
Scott exclaimed: “Happy Days”
Max Litchfield, the former British record holder, was third in 1:58.43.
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