With just a few weeks until action kicks off at the London Aquatic Centre, Aquatics GB have confirmed that all entries for the British Championships were accepted and released the draft programme.

This brings with it the first opportunity to assess who is swimming what as they attempt to qualify for the summer World Championships in Singapore and there are a few interesting events to note. Here are some of the headlines:

There is no Adam Peaty – this is not really a surprise; despite him being preselected for Worlds it was unlikely we would see him competing this year. The 100m breaststroke also goes without James Wilby who is taking a break from competition and has intimated he will retire after next year’s Commonwealth Games. That leaves it possible we’ll see a new name in that event, at least for the medley relay, with Archie Goodburn, Greg Butler and up-and-coming Max Morgan to the fore.

James Guy is making good on his promise to go back to the 400 free – he has the third fastest entry time in London but will likely be in the mix with Kieran Bird for the win.  In another blast from the past he also makes an appearance in the 200 fly, an event he hadn’t raced since the 2022 Commonwealth Games before this year’s Edinburgh International Meet. While preselected in the 4×200 free team, he also goes in the 200 free, no doubt seeking the second individual place alongside Matt Richards

The 200 fly also includes Duncan Scott – the Stirling swimmer sits out the 100 free but takes on the 200IM,  and 200 free, both of which come towards the end of the meet so the fly gives an early hit out for him.

Abbie Wood returns to the 400 IM – The Loughborough swimmer hadn’t swum it for four years before BUCs where she posted an encouraging 4:38 and she will now take on her performance centre teammate Freya Colbert in London in what may be a two horse race with Katie Shanahan sitting out. Otherwise it is business as usual with the 100/200 free and 200IM on her programme

There’s no Medi Harris at this meet – after an Edinburgh International Meet where she appeared a little out of sorts, Harris is sitting this meet out. That means no international team for her this year and leaves the 100m backstroke as an apparent shoot out between Lauren Cox, Kathleen Dawson and Honey Osrin, but don’t count out Katie Shanahan who told us last year this was an event she wanted to get into. Indeed she has chosen this over the 400IM which is in the same session.

100 free only for Tom Dean – preselected in the 4×200 free relay, but with no other option now for an individual swim if the 100 doesn’t come off for the Bath swimmer. After the longest break of his career, Dean sits out the 200 free and IM and focusses on the two length race. Even without Duncan Scott, he faces a tough challenge for the individual spots with Matt Richards,  Alex Cohoon, Jacob Whittle and a fast rising Alex Painter who had a great NCAA championships with Florida last week all in contention. Lewis Burras might also fancy his chances coming from a bit further back. Dean might just settle for relay spots and hope that an individual opportunity opens up elsewhere.

Back to backstroke for Colbert – she didn’t race it at trials last year but Freya Colbert has dropped the 200IM in favour of the 200 back this time round. She adds that to the 100/200 free and 400IM. Qualifying in the backstroke could be tough with Olympic finalists Katie Shanahan and Honey Osrin on board, but it adds a little extra edge to the at event

These are just some of the eye catching aspects of the programme but there are plenty of other exciting match ups to look forward too across the week, not least the men’s 200 free in its now customary championship-closing spot, and there will be a lot of fast swimming. Events to keep a particular eye on include the men’s 100 backstroke where Ollie Morgan chases a British Record whilst also aiming to hold off an on form Jonny Marshall who posted the second fastest 100 yard backstroke all time at the recent NCAA championships.

It’s also worth marking down the women’s 100 and 200m breaststroke events. Angharad Evans has shown great form so far this year and has excellent potential in the longer event which is a new area of focus. All in all, it looks like an intriguing week is in store in London.

Banner image: European Aquatics/David Damjanovic