There are not many better stories than the comeback of Jazz Carlin. After suffering major illnesses disrupting her preparations for the 2012 Olympic trials and ultimately costing her a place on the team, she has made the last 3 years a different story.
Whilst 2013 was not quite the outcome Carlin wanted, a 4th place finish in the 400m freestyle was still an outstanding achievement given what happened the year before. Nevertheless, she would have been disappointed in not making the final of the 800 or 1500 meter freestyle. Kazan, however, will be a different story.
2014 and 2015 have been particularly successful for Carlin with European and Commonwealth victories in the 800m freestyle in 2014 and comfortably winning the 400m and 800m freestyle at the British trials. Moreover, she was a four time winner in the Mare nostrum circuit on the Canet and Barcelona legs.
She is now one of the more experienced swimmers on the British team despite being only 24 years old and has admitted that she will be looking to use experience to her advantage in Kazan.
“I’m not young anymore, I’m one of the seniors on the team, one of the more experienced ones. It is a bit different being on that other side. I’m using all my experience to make me better and to improve”, Carlin said on the British Swimming Website.
Carlin should be confident of her medal chances in Kazan with her 4.03.51 sitting at third in the world so far this year. Moreover in the 800m distance she may be looking to break Rebecca Adlington’s 800m British record of 8.14. Carlin’s best at the moment sits at 8.15.54 and breaking the British record may even give Katie Ledecky a good race in a race expected to be dominated by the 18 year old American.
Swimming quotes courtesy of British Swimming.