British team for European Para Swimming Champs Unveiled
British Swimming has today confirmed that it will take an exciting squad of experienced and up-and-coming swimmers to the 2020 World Para Swimming Open European Championships. The event is set to take place in Funchal, Madeira - Portugal in six months’ time.
A squad of 24 British para-swimmers will compete in Madeira from the 17 to 23 May 2020, the second time the autonomous Portuguese islands will have hosted the event in four years. In 2016 there was success for Ollie Hynd, Hannah Russell and Scot Quin, with these athletes now in a great position to share their knowledge and experiences with swimmers who are gaining their first senior international selection.
Last week’s Para-Swimming National Championships in Manchester, which was run in partnership with the Activity Alliance, acted as a key opportunity for Britain’s best to stake a claim for selection, with the likes of 2019 breakthrough acts Ellie Challis and Louis Lawlor securing their places. Also named are seven time World Champion Alice Tai, Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds and three time London 2019 World Champion Reece Dunn.
Of the team selected, Team Leader Catherine Gilby said:
“This is a great chance for established team members to have a race opportunity that supports their Individual Athlete Plans as we head towards the Paralympic Games. In addition, the competition is the perfect environment to for our emerging athletes targeting 2024/2028 to gain valuable international experience.”
Fellow Team Leader Craig Nicholson added:
“The staff team we have chosen will also reflect this our approach to the championships, providing a great development opportunity for key individuals in our pathway. We are really excited about the potential of this team and are looking forward to working with this group of swimmers in the build up to and during the championships.”
Check out the full squad list on British Swimming's website.
Image credit: British Swimming
