Author: Andy

Category: Competitions

Swimming training for the Olympic Games Trials

Swimming training for the Olympic Games Trials

Turner Swim instructor Katie is currently swimming training for the Olympic Games trials. Katie is currently training hard in South Africa, ahead of the selection competition. We asked Katie how training was going and here is her update:

 

What am I currently training for and where in the world am I?

‘I am currently in hard training in preparation for Great Britain’s Olympic Trials. These are being held at the London Aquatic Centre in April 2020. I will be competing in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events, as well as the 200 Individual Medley (50m Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Front Crawl).

In the lead up to this event, final preparations will take place in Pretoria, South Africa.

Pretoria is at altitude and physiological gains can be made from training in this environment. In addition we have the feel good effects of training in the sunshine and being away from the cold winter months of the UK.

 

High Performance Centre swimming training in South Africa

Whilst in South Africa, we are based at the High Performance Centre, which is part of the University of Pretoria. Sports teams from all around the world come here to train in preparation for major sporting events. We live and train together at the HPC, without the day-to-day distractions of home.

With the Olympic Trials only 5 weeks away, the emphasis of the training camp is about race preparation, swimming fast and honing the finer details.

 

Qualifying to compete for Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Qualification for the Olympics is a complex procedure. To actually be able to swim at the Olympics you must have achieved a qualifying time. This time needs to be equal to or better than the FINA ‘A’ time.  FINA are the World Governing Body for swimming.

The time for the 200m Breaststroke is 2:25.52. The maximum number of swimmers from any one country in an individual event is 2.   A country can only send 2 swimmers providing they have achieved a FINA A time within the last 12 months at a FINA registered event for Olympic qualification.

However, to qualify for a place on the GB swimming team is way more complex than merely swimming the FINA A time. To qualify for a place in the 200m breaststroke, you must achieve a qualifying time of 2:22.53,whilst also winning the event at the British trials.  Selection as an additional swimmer in this event is by achieving a time of 2:23.69. To put the enormity of the task into perspective, 2:22.53 would mean you would have made the podium at the last World Championships. The time of 2:23.69 would give you a world top 15 ranking.

Selection for the Olympic Games is very competitive. Hopefully this training camp will hopefully give me an extra boost before tapering. This is a process where we reduce the amount of training we do shortly before the competition begins so that we have more energy for the event.’

We wish Katie all the best with her swimming training for the Olympic Games trials.

 

Manchester Swimming coaching with Katie

When back in Manchester, Katie is available for one-to-one adult swimming coaching sessions with Turner Swim. Receive swimming training and tips from one of Britain’s top breaststroke swimmers and see how much more you can enjoy your time in the pool. Katie looks forward to seeing you at Marriott’s Worsley Park hotel and country club. Click here to book online for our adult swimming lessons.