Like France, Great Britain came out with their own time standards for Olympic qualification prior to their Olympic Trials, rather than just using the FINA “A” standards like most of the other top countries. The Brits had a specific standard for the winner of each race at Trials to hit to automatically qualify for the team, and then a ‘Consideration’ standard that swimmers could get within 2% of to be considered for the team if they finished 1st and missed the other standard or finished 2nd.
They haven’t stuck to those rules for everyone heading to Rio, with a few men entered who failed to meet those standards, specifically in the men’s 200 IM. In the 200 IM at British Trials five men finished with a time of 1:59 point something, well off of their automatic standard of 1:56.82 (which is actually under the current national record) and also missing 2% off the consideration time (1:58.39). However, they have named two men to this event in Rio, neither of which won the race at the Trials.
Roberto Pavoni came out on top in the final in 1:59.20, but hasn’t been selected to the team. Instead, runner-up Ieuan Lloyd, who went 1:59.58 for 2nd, has been named to the team in this event. The other man who was named in this event was Dan Wallace, who had a rather poor showing in general at the Trials finishing 6th after finishing 4th at the World Championships just eight months prior. Wallace was well off the standards in 2:00.26 in Glasgow, but has still been named to the team. Pavoni, who was left off the team entirely despite also finishing 2nd in the 400 IM, tied for 8th at the World Championships last year in the semi-finals and ultimately lost a swim-off with Conor Dwyer of the United States to take 9th spot overall.
Another man who missed the standards at the Trials but has still be named to the team is backstroker Chris Walker-Hebborn, who won the 100 back in 53.73 but missed the auto standard of 52.99 and the 2% consideration time of 53.46. Walker-Hebborn finished 5th at the World Championships last summer and has a best of 52.88 from May of 2015. Despite missing the British standards at Trials, Walker-Hebborn was well under the FINA “A” standard of 54.36. He is Great Britain’s only entrant in this event and thus will be their man in the 400 medley relay as well.
Find the full entry lists for the Olympics here.
Dan Wallace has had his day. I hope he steps his game up as he sure is confident enough. The guy had one good year and thinks he’s good enough. Typical British swimming pick who they want. I don’t know either guys but Pavoni should have been picked over Wallace In more than one event. Only Mr Peaty will medal.
Very critical on gb chances! I would wager you on your guess. Can’t argue over pav! I think we will get 4 medals! And I hope I’m wrong, and we do better!
Worlds Final 2013, Commonwealth Gold 2014, Worlds Final 2015…. More than just a ‘good year’ I would say, no?
I feel that Wallace being chosen is really unfair to the other athletes who were better this year
I agree. It is amazing (is that the right word?) for how much his times have dropped off this year. I wonder if there’s a reason why or if it’s just because his training hasn’t gone as well this year.
I’m sure there are reasons, and I’m sure he will come good whether you agree with his inclusion or not! Excellent talent, just wasn’t there at Trials…
I didnt think it was unfair that Wallace was being picked as a wild card option hes been off form this season but deserved to be a wildcard but so did Pavoni
That makes sense within the system. I guess I’m just against the wild card system in general as I believe it is unfair.
I don’t agree with Pavoni deserving to be a wildcard. He always seems to under perform at major competitions.
Were Lloyd and Wallace already on the team in other events, or were they named to the team specifically for 200 IM? If they weren’t already on the team, then it seems incredibly unfair to place them ahead of the trials winner. This isn’t gymnastics, where other factors come into play during the selection process.
They were named as wild cards to compete in the men’s 4 x 200 free relay. Presumably the entries into the 200 IM are to make sure they don’t get caught by the new relay alternate rule if they don’t swim the relay. Tough on Roberto Pavoni.
This situation is specific to GBR. I can’t think of any other country where this happened.
GBR put themselves in this situation when they created overly complicated selection procedure.
France were also in similar situation after their Trials, but they implemented much simpler solution: bring everyone to Rio.
That’s GB for you. It’s even worse in track & field…. picking people who have been slower all year (even when they themselves are mystified) because of performances a year or more ago. As for the relays… taking 9 guys…9!…. for the men’s 4 x 100m is just obscene.
Aww CWB remember when everyone on here overrated him and thought he was gonna kill it in Kazan?
CWB?
A child of CWH and CVB
It was expected but very unfair on Pavoni , to be British champion in the event and not be chosen whilst having to watch swimmers who placed behind you in the event swim it at Rio kick in the teeth