The Manchester International Swim Meet, slated for February 12 – 14 at the Manchester Aquatic Center, will take place in a bubble-like environment, similar to what was conducted in Budapest for the International Swimming League.
Given the current lockdown in England, only those athletes on the government approved Elite Athlete Return to Training lists are permitted to compete, with the competition run under the corresponding DCMS guidelines, according to a release from British Swimming.
Everyone involved in the meet will be subjected to strict social distancing policies, including a robust testing process, and those involved will confine themselves to the meet hotel and only use private transportation to and from the Manchester Aquatic Center. No spectators will be allowed into the facility although there will be a live stream of the meet.
Four British swimmers – Adam Peaty, Duncan Scott, James Wilby and Luke Greenbank have already been named to the Tokyo Olympic team, and they, with the exclusion of Scott, are expected to be at the Manchester International swim meet in a tune-up meet for the Olympic Games that are 170 days away.
On the announcement, Jack Buckner, British Swimming Chief Executive, said:
“We are very grateful to Manchester for their hard work to allow this event to happen during such difficult times for the whole country, including our aquatics community. With the Olympic and Paralympic Games drawing ever closer, our swimmers need competition opportunities. The Manchester event will provide that, as other nations also return to elite competition. However, the health and safety of all involved, from athletes right through to volunteers, is our absolute priority, and we are confident that the measures we have put in place are extremely robust and will keep everyone as safe as possible.
“We acknowledge that as the British governing body for aquatics, we are in an extremely privileged position to be able to continue with our activity during this lockdown, whilst observing all the COVID regulations. This elite-only meet is key for us if we are to achieve our ambitions in Tokyo. Our thoughts are also with the wider aquatics community and we shall support all of the Home Nations’ efforts to return to the water as soon as permitted.”
Great example of elitism. What message does this send to other non-pre-selected swimmers and para swimmers that are not allowed to compete?Especially during lockdown what about non-GB elite trapped in lockdown in GB?
There is a pandemic. Most of the U.K. is in lockdown. Deaths in The U.K. are the highest in Europe and almost 50% higher in England than Scotland.
Only essential work can take place.
Elite sportsmen/women are doing their ‘jobs’ and in a bubble.
Any chance of seeing the line up ahead of this meet. Be curious to see who are the elite in this country??
Not only can this list of elite compete , but they are also the only swimmers who can train at the moment in the U.K..
I am looking forward to seeing the chosen elite list in action .