Brian McGuinness, BSCA Executive Director
Whatever the sport, in the professional era, it’s cut throat, with no quarter given and the strongest of will prevailing in most cases. In what Michael Scott described as a ‘rollercoaster ride’ of a week, what was perhaps most heartening was the response to what many thought was a disappointing start to a long week for everyone concerned in Shanghai – but was it really a disappointing start??
This was a meet in a new era in many ways, for the sport of swimming and for British Swimming in particular. The shiny suits had gone with textiles being worn by all, and the GBR swim team was going into a World Championships with high expectations for success – when was the last time we said that?
With the home Olympics being just 12 months away in London, the eyes of the nation, if not the world, was watching to see if our new found confidence could be turned into solid podium performances in what was the warm up act for next year’s big event.
It’s fair to say that overall we did really well and with the growing of a few fingernails, no bouts of illness or injury and a little more luck, it could have been even better. But as they say in showbiz circles, you should always leave them wanting more. The GBR team did that, there is no doubt but the heartening thing is that the ‘more’ is achievable and we go forward to London with lots of positivity and optimism.
Rebecca Adlington has carried a lot on her shoulders after her double Olympic success and after learning to cope with what that success brought with it, has matured and grown over the last few years. Her 400m silver was her best ever performance at a World Championships up to that point so why were we all disappointed? – context people, context! The performance in the 800m should not be under-estimated. It showed not only a level of maturity and belief at this level, but also pure racecraft. No doubt there was great temptation to go earlier, but she knew the plan and had belief in it and herself; that final 50m burst is now her trademark. Whilst the doom-mongers may say that Friise will be fresher in London as she won’t have a 1500 to contend with, it is highly possible that Rebecca won’t have the 200 individual to consider, so another great battle seems likely and my money is still on Adlington to be on the top of the rostrum.
Liam Tancock will find it tough to turn the 50m gold into 100m gold, but again, that’s all he’ll be contending with as there’s no 50 in the olympic programme. That along with the support of the British public could add that fair wind behind him that could make all the difference.
Kerri Ann Payne, what more can one say. She has set the standard in this 10k event and with just 12 months to go, she is in prime position. The waters of the Serpentine will not have the heat perils of Shanghai. What was clear again was the competitive instinct and will to win shown by this British swimmer. Despite being challenged and challenged again, she never allowed her dominance to be overtaken; thus bringing her the accolade of being the first athlete to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
Hannah Miley has grown and grown in the last quadrennial. Never favouring or been attracted to the polyurethane suits, she has come into her own in the textile era. Her skill in the 400 IM and the undoubted genius of her father Patrick in building her into this world class athlete, was supported by her guts and never say die attitude. Her split of 1:16.98 for the breaststroke leg was almost a second faster than the winner Elizabeth Biesel’s, and once she was in a medal position she wasn’t letting it go. I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion that Hannah Miley is part Gremlin! Out of the water she is cute and furry, but once she comes into contact with water ………… something happens! Can she make the leap to go from World Silver to Olympic Gold in 12 months? Team Miley is something special, if anyone can manage that it’s them!
Ellen Gandy was oh-so close! Grow those fingernails!
What we were seeing here was the emergence of a new star, and along with Jemma Lowe, this Londoner could well bring the roof off what will be another tight encounter, however how this generation of Chinese swimmers will perform away from home is an unknown quantity.
Fran Halsall, despite an ankle operation and hence a broken training year, on another day would be coming home with two medals. But a swimmer who relies on her sharpness off the block was clearly hampered by her lack of full winter training and also an apparent lack of power off the block, surely caused by the operation. With a full winter’s work behind her and a fully recovered ankle, I think we will see a very different Fran Halsall in London next year.
James Goddard too, 0.35 from a medal was ever so close, but such are the margins between success and failure. There is also plenty of time for both Lizzy Simmonds & Gemma Spofforth to get their MOJO back. Form is temporary, class is permanent as they say …… both these girls have class!
There were many other features to dwell upon from both a positive and negative perspective (that’s for another posting and Forum debate) but the key question was, was this an improvement from Rome 2 years ago? The simple answer is yes!
We beat the medal target set, we had an increased number of finalists and, including Open water, we were the top European nation at these Championships.
So yes, it showed progression, yes there is improvement to come and most importantly that improvement is achievable.
Roll on 2012 ……. just wish I had tickets!
