Both two-time Olympic medalist Jazz Carlin and two-time Commonwealth medalist Aimee Willmott have been forced to withdraw from Great Britain’s World Championship team that was set to compete in Budapest this summer.
Carlin made the decision based off the fact that she feels she would be unable to compete at her usual very high standards, while Willmott continues to battle with an ongoing injury.
British Swimming head coach Bill Furniss commented on the announcement: “Both swimmers are a loss to the team but we respect their decisions which we believe will have a positive impact on their long term futures”, he said.
“Jazz had a long rest after last year’s Olympics Games, which she needed to do. Since then she has been working hard, despite minor illness and injury, to get herself back into her best competitive shape but feels she isn’t going to be able to get there in time for the World Championships. With a long term view of her career, this is the right decision to take.”
“Unfortunately Aimee has been fighting a knee injury for a few months now. A decision has been made as she can’t get herself into a competitive condition in time for the World Championships. Aimee will be taking a longer break this summer in order to fully recover from injury, and then work towards being in the best shape possible at the start of next season”, he added.
“I’m disappointed for Jazz and Aimee and it is a loss to the team but we will have lots of athletes fully prepared for the World Championships and we’re looking forward to it.”
Carlin won silver at the Rio Olympics in the 400 and 800 freestyle events behind only Katie Ledecky, while Willmott won 2014 Commonwealth medals in the 400 IM and 200 fly, and 2014 European Championship medals in the 200 and 400 IM. She was a finalist in Rio in the 400 IM, placing 7th.
At the British Championships in April Willmott qualified for the Worlds team in the 400 IM, while Carlin qualified in the 400 and 800, as well as the 4×200 free relay.
The British team is currently in Rome preparing to compete at the Sette Colli Trophy in preparation for the World Championships.
Somewhat disappointing news, but not surprising. As far as I know they haven’t swum at any of the meets the GB team have been attending since the trials (nor were they down to swim in Rome). Wilmott’s withdrawal opens up a 400IM spot for Abbie Wood, which will be good experience for her. No news on a possible replacement for Carlin, so I assume there won’t be any.
policy doesn’t allow for replacements
Carlin.
Hard to understand who benefits from this.
Jazz is 27 this Sept.
Will be ~30 in Tokyo.
Withdraws for “long term future”.
What are the long term future plans ?
400/800/1500 at 30 ?
Just gave up her Swan Song IMHO. ?
Poor advice.
I would say Rio was a fairly decent Swan Song … IMHO 🙂
Swan Songs are usually planned as such. There was/is no intention to retire after RIO. Plan appears to be Tokyo for “the final performance or activity of a person’s (Jazz) career”, I.e. Swan Song.
Point is, Jazz will be 30.
Show me a single distance swimmer performing at that level at that age. Training demands / life / financial reality all take their toll. Budapest was a more realistic opportunity and all the hard work was already done. QT in the bag, team position secured all she had to do was turn up.
Should just go swim.
Enjoy.
Contribute to the team. (I.e. Mentoring Holly Hibbott / Relay etc.
Benefit from sponsors.
Soak… Read more »
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I’d usually agree, but mileage usually plays a part in distance swimmers’ decline. With Jazz, she missed a lot of time (2011-2013) really, and didn’t move up from 200/400 until 2011. She doesn’t have the same mileage in her legs of most distance swimmers her age. I’d say she can be in 4.04/8.20 shape again at 30, in Rio – That’ll make a few finals, and that’ll be a pretty good way to bow out of the sport.
There are still the European and Commonwealth Games before the Olympics -yes they might not to be up there with worlds and Olympics, but Jazz will be a defending title holder and will want to defend them. Plus, as meets go, the friendly commonwealth games is a pretty warm way to leave the sport – less pressure and more enjoyment perhaps.
Europeans are at home (sort of) next summer too in Glasgow. If she is getting towards retirement that would be as good a time as any. Though from her statements she still intends to carry on through to Tokyo.