The Brits may not have had quite the Olympic performance they wanted in 2012, but early into the next Olympic cycle, their young ranks, especially on the men’s side, look very impressive.
That includes James Guy, who represented Great Britain at both the European Junior, the World Junior, and senior World Championships this summer, and has now been invited to swim as a part of the European All-Stars team at the 2013 Duel in the Pool.
Guy is primarily a middle-distance freestyler, with bests from the World Championships in the 200 free (1:47.19) and 400 free (3:47.86). The 800 free relay, on paper, had the potential to be an American blowout, but with at least one member of the United States’ winning 800 free relay from Worlds having confirmed to us that he will skip the meet (Ricky Berens), the race could tighten up considerably depending on how many of the Russians are coaxed into this meet.
Individually, Guy was 5th in the 400 free at Worlds; only American Connor Jaeger was faster than him (though, Conor Dwyer, who has committed to this meet, is probably capable of contending as well). Jaeger has confirmed that he, too, has declined an invitation to focus on the college season and his academic commitments.