The best para-swimmers in the world have descended on Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre for the British Para-Swimming International Meet (BPSIM), which gets underway on Thursday 25 April.
With an action packed schedule, the best in the world will compete over four days, as they look to secure vital points in the World Para Swimming World Series, whilst the British contingent will be chasing national titles and selection for the World Championships.
Just two weeks ago it was confirmed that the World Para Swimming Championships will be coming to London, after the IPC stripped Malaysia of the event for banning Israeli athletes from competing. With the UK stepping in, Great Britain’s swimming stars will have the opportunity to compete in another major championships on home soil, at the home of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
First up though, selection is essential in order to be able to compete at those global championships, with the likes of Ellie Robinson, Ellie Simmonds, Masie Summers-Newton, Mikey Jones and Tom Hamer all looking to secure their places. All five won Paralympic medals in Rio three years ago and will be looking to vie for global titles in September.
Louise Fiddes is another name to watch having stormed onto the international scene last year as she clinched the 2018 World Series crown. The 18-year-old will now look to repeat her 2018 success as she makes her season debut on home soil in Glasgow.
Other big international names to look out for are 2017 World Series champion Monica Boggioni of Italy, Canada’s Paralympic champion Aurelie Rivard, Spain’s Sarai Gascon and Ireland’s Ellen Keane & Nicole Turner.
Ahead of the action getting underway, British Para-Swimming Head Coach Rob Aubry said:
“We’re extremely excited to see our swimmers return to top level action this week and it’s even more important now we have a confirmed World Championships, which will be taking place on home turf. Whilst our selection criteria is challenging, we’re expecting our swimmers to step up when it counts, especially given the increased number of direct in-class competition opportunities we’re providing, with competitors swimming fastest to slowest across the pool in the finals.”
Live results from Glasgow are available on British Swimming’s website here and you can catch all the action on the live stream via Facebook or the British Swimming YouTube channel.
Tickets are still available on the door in Glasgow.