2001 World Bronze medallist Joanna Fargus has applied to switch her international representation from Britain to Australia, according to the latest minutes of the GB Technical Swimming Committee, which has accepted the request.
Fargus, who was born in Australia, was a key member of the British Squad in 2001 and 2002, when she won Commonwealth silver in the 200m backstroke and was a member of the victorious 4x200m freestyle relay squad in Manchester. Shortly after those games a fall led to a broken leg following which Jo struggled to regain her best form, although her times this year, most recently at the English Commonwealth Trials, indicated that she was finally returning to her best.
Her 2005 best time of 2:12.20 for the 200m backstroke, 13th best in the world this year, would rank her as Australian number one in the event, ahead of Tayliah Zimmer’s 2:12.96. Given the current depth in British ladies backstroke swimming that ranking is likely to be a partial motivation for the switch.
Pullbuoy wishes Jo all the best for her future.