Bullet Trains – GB Olympic Selection Tracker – Day 3

Day 3 was the day the speed merchants came to two as the numbers putting themselves forward for selection continued to grow. Five new swimmers put their hands up for selection with the chance of more being added for the men’s sprint relay.

This meet is part of a multistage selection process, outlined in greater detail in our guide to the policy. Below we have summarised the selection position after day 2 of competition. With no percentages or ranking of performances this year, the picture is much clearer, but note this is only our interpretation of how the policy will be applied. 

Beyond those who make the consideration times, who should be picked but are not guaranteed their spots, selection is not an exact science and subject to selector discretion, particularly around relays. The final team selected may hence differ for a variety of reasons and is due to be announced on Wednesday 21st April.

The big news came in the men’s 100m freestyle which saw one of, if not the, fastest domestic final ever. Duncan Scott took the laurels, equalling his British Record in 47.87. He dragged 18 year old Matt Richards to a PB and consideration time of 48.23 in second while Tom Dean and Jacob Whittle filled out the top 4, also in 48 points. Whittle, still only 16, posted a remarkable 48.76 and the combined quartet were well under the required relay team consideration time.

In the men’s 400IM we had expected a procession for Max Litchfield but he was pushed all the way by a spirited Brodie Williams. The younger man busted his best time by over 3.5s as he pushed Litchfield all the way to the wall. Both men finished under the consideration standard.

The final men’s event saw a great battle between the pre-selected James Wilby and Ross Murdoch over 200m breaststroke. Wilby went out fast and hung on just for the win over a fast finishing Murdoch, but both men were under the consideration time.

Alys Thomas put 100m disappointment firmly behind her, winning the 200m butterfly final in 2:08.09 and sneaking just under the consideration time. Keanna MacInnes set a huge PB in second but fell just shy of the required time.

There was also no joy for Holly Hibbott in the 400 free. A class apart from the field it was Hibbott versus the clock and on this occasion the clock won. The winning time of 4:07.03 was just over a second off what was needed.

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