The British team is currently preparing for the upcoming FINA World Championships at the 2012 Olympic Pool in Stratford and going through their final paces before jetting off to Kazan.
Adam Barrett and Lauren Quigley are two members of the team who will have points to prove in Russia. For Barrett, he will be seeking to justify his selection after disappointing trials in April in the 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley relay events.
It wasn’t too long ago that Barrett was celebrating success after swimming the fly leg in the gold medal winning the 4x100m medley relay at the commonwealth games and European Championships, (50.69 split in Berlin). With Kazan being his first World Championships he said that confidence gained from these performances will help his progression in the right direction.
“The performances in 2014 gave me a lot of confidence that I can compete on that level and hopefully the relay team can do the same again,” said Barrett.
Lauren Quigley meanwhile is no stranger to the international scene with Kazan being her second World Championships. After competing in Barcelona in all three backstroke events, she has admitted that whilst Barcelona was a learning experience Kazan will be a chance to show how she is a force to be reckoned with.
“It’s very important to perform well, I want to be up there and I want people to be aware of me going into Rio”, said Quigley.
Quigley, however, will be required to step up if she wants people to be aware of her. Her best time in the 100 backstroke of 1.00.01 set in 2014 will not be expected to make the final in Kazan with sub minute 100m female backstrokes becoming a regular occurrence in the last couple of years.
Swimming quotes courtesy of British Swimming.