OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONS SPEARHEAD ENGLAND SWIMMING TEAM

27.08.2010

Double Olympic Champion Rebecca Adlington will stand alongside World Champions Liam Tancock, Gemma Spofforth and Keri-Anne Payne when they represent the Speedo sponsored England swimming team at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games as part of a 45-strong swimming squad which was finalised today after last weekend’s final selection event.

The team, announced today by Commonwealth Games England, will compete for Commonwealth honours against Speedo sponsored teams Australia, Canada and a strong South African squad while rivalries with Scotland and Wales will be fierce.

Four years ago in Melbourne, England’s swimmers returned with 22 medals and Team Leader for England’s swimmers John Atkinson believes the team of 2010 has the quality to get close to that figure.

“I’m delighted Commonwealth Games England has selected such an impressive contingent of athletes to represent England with 45 swimmers being one of the largest swimming teams in the modern era of the Games,” said Atkinson. “It’s a full strength England team with tremendous potential. To have so many Olympic and World Championship medallists competing for England will serve the team well as they enter their final preparations for Delhi in October.”

Accompanying England’s more established athletes is a crop of young talent that emerged at the final qualification event in Sunderland last week – the ASA National Championships.

For the likes of Ryan Bennett, Anne Bochmann and Emma Saunders, the Commonwealth Games will provide the athletes with their first major international event. “Standing alongside our international medallists in Delhi will be a number of swimmers making their debuts,” explained Atkinson. “We have seen a number of breakthrough performances this season to make the England team and that’s exciting for the sport.

“However, it will be tough in Delhi for our swimmers. Australia continues to be a dominant force in world swimming, Canada are riding high after an impressive two years and the likes of New Zealand and South Africa will always challenge for medals.

“For the swimmers, the Commonwealth Games has been the focus of their entire year and I’m excited at our prospects.”

Craig Hunter, England Chef de Mission for Delhi said:  “It is with pride that we welcome such a strong swimming contingent into the England team for the Games in October.  We wish them every success with their final preparations for Delhi and at the Games themselves.

Commonwealth Games England announced the first wave of swimmers to be selected for Delhi back in April after the British Swimming Championships – the first round of qualification. Following the ASA Championships last week a further 15 swimmers have been added at the final opportunity.

England Swimming Team, Delhi 2010. New Selections as at 24.08.10

Women

Anne Bochmann - 22.08.83, born Norwich, lives Norwich, club City of Leeds

Jessica Dickons - 17.08.90, Stockton-on-Tees, Bath, Stockton/ Bath ITC

Kate Haywood - 11.04.87, Grimsby, Loughborough, Loughborough Uni/ Loughborough ITC

Kate Hutchinson - 21.09.90, Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, Dewsbury, Loughborough Uni

Stephanie Proud - 29.08.88, Durham, Gainesville in Florida, Gator Swim Club/ Chester-Le-Street

Emma Saunders - 30.07.94, Billinge in Lancashire, Bolton, Manchester Aquatics

Men

Steven Beckerleg -17.11.89, born Plymouth, lives Plymouth, club Plymouth Leander

Ryan Bennett - 18.09.90, Cambridge, Stirling, Preston/ Stirling ITC

Richard Charlesworth - 26.10.88, Hemel Hempstead, Hemel Hempstead, Hatfield

Daniel Coombs - 19.05.88, Preston, Loughborough, Chorley Marlins/ Loughborough ITC

Anthony James - 05.11.89, Plymouth, Plymouth, Plymouth Leander

Daniel Sliwinski - 04.04.90, Preston in Lancashire, Preston, Gallica

Para-Swimmers

Stephanie Millward - 20.09.81, born Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, lives Swansea in Wales, Swansea Performance/ Swansea HPC

Simon Miller - 10.06.86, Shoreham-By-Sea in West Sussex, Manchester, City of Manchester

Robert Welbourn - 11.06.87, Chesterfield, Swansea, Swansea Performance/ Swansea HPC

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