The European Championships taking place just 3 months before the 2016 Olympic Games is one of the last opportunities for Rio-bound British athletes to fine-tune their racing ahead of this year’s Games. The European Championships event spans May 9th through the 22nd and will be hosted by the London Aquatics Center at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Just announced as ambassadors for the event are swimmers James Guy and Jazmin Carlin, each of whom are primed to make the Great Britain Olympic roster come Trials in April.
Guy surged to the worldwide stage last summer, having earned the World Championship title in the men’s 200m freestyle. He was also instrumental in GBR’s stunning 800m freestyle relay win over the Americans, while collecting another individual event medal in the 400m freestyle.
At just 20 years old, Guy’s career is just getting started and the Millfield School-based swimmer couldn’t be more excited. “I am delighted to be announced as an ambassador for the 2016 European Championships,” said Guy.
“The London Aquatics Centre was home to swimming at London 2012 and so to compete there in Olympic year makes this event even more special. Following an incredible 2015, I’m looking forward to competing and racing with the best of Europe in May, in what is a very exciting year.”
Carlin’s career is also on the upswing, as the 25-year-old who barely missed out on a London Olympic berth claimed World Championship bronze in the women’s 800m freestyle in Kazan.
“I am really excited that the European Aquatics Championships are coming to London this year,” said Carlin.
“I was gutted to miss out on competing at the London Aquatics Centre at the 2012 Olympics and I’ve no doubt that the home crowd will be amazing and the atmosphere will be absolutely incredible.”
Guy and Carlin will be joined by diver Chris Mears to compose the trio of European Championships ambassadors. Alongside partner Jack Laugher, Mears earned Britain’s first-ever bronze medal at a World Championships in the men’s 3m synchro event.
The British swimming team for the Rio 2016 Olympics is confirmed as attending the European Aquatics Championships.