pullbuoy

@EpicallyFailing I speculate also that men’s distance they took a view that the home nations would be represented (Wiffen, TMS and maybe a couple of Scots) but there would possibly be nobody in the women’s events

@pullbuoy Yeah, I was putting Abbie into the medley relay in my head. I was also trading off that relay for representation men's distance events & back up for Cox (presuming more likely that we see female BK in mixed than BR). But again, that's just me, I get why they did what they did.

Yesterday England’s swimming squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was confirmed. No massive surprises but a few people who might feel harshly done by as fleshing out relays apparently took the discretionary focus. For a breakdown of the selection: pullbuoy.co.uk/commonwealth-g…

@EpicallyFailing No Idle-Beavers could mean no medley relay though (unless Abbie is pressed into action or Imogen had her arm twisted) but agree you could make a case for some others.

@pullbuoy Mostly to be expected. Hard to fault selectors. I'd personally have taken taken Grady, Kinsman and Wizard (in place of Dean, Idle-Beavers and Revitt). Not a criticism of the latter 3 - who are all well deserving of the chance themselves - just personal preference about priorities

@Tranmere_Nick I don’t think I suggested it was controversial. I’m well aware of her quality 🙂 pullbuoy.co.uk/imogen/

@pullbuoy Nothing controversial about Imogen Clark being picked, she is one of the best 50m breaststrokers in the world. The only reason that she wasn't in the Olympic squad is that the 50m isn't an Olympic event.

@Surreal_SH Wood can swim the relay - anyone can swim anything once selected. I’d expect to see Little in an individual or maybe heats of a mixed relay somewhere

@pullbuoy Oh that makes sense then, feels like the selectors have shot themselves in the foot with a 28 swimmer roster cap though. Glad Gammon gets to go to Europeans at least. Does this mean Wood wont be allowed to swim the 4x2 if its a straight final? Real NR opportunity with her there

@Surreal_SH Ref Little they’ve followed the policy to the letter (didn’t have a real option to do otherwise) but the W medley team didn’t qualify so they could use discretion and just add Idle-Beavers to have a team at all (Richards on fly still makes the QT). Gammon is an odd one, agreed.

@pullbuoy Would've liked to see Gammon in the team instead of Little. 23.1 challenges for a medal at Commies, we wont need Little as we can add Wood to the 4x2 which will likely just be a straight final Wizard will feel hard done by too after finishing as the top 100 Fly swimmer at trials

At the GB Champs I sat down with GB Head Coach Steven Tigg to talk about how he’s finding the role 18 months, his hopes for this summer’s major meets and more - have a listen here: pullbuoy.co.uk/podcast/podcas… or wherever you get your podcasts.

Missing GB Champs? There’s more from the pool deck on an extra podcast featuring interviews with Duncan Scott, Ed Mildred, Eva Okaro, Katie Shanahan Adam Ramsey-Peaty, Angharad Evans and Ollie Morgan: pullbuoy.co.uk/commonwealth-g…

@chris_walton21 @bobballardsport Thanks Chris! Agreed ref Eva. Steve T out tomorrow.

@pullbuoy @bobballardsport I’ve just finished listening to the interviews. Very good, I especially enjoyed Eva’s one. I don’t think I’ve heard her speak before, I like the way she comes across; confident but not too much. Looking forward to hearing the Steve Tigg’s one too. Obviously the Pod was on point2

A terrific week of swimming in London at the Aquatics GB Championships with fast swimming everywhere. So plenty for me and @bobballardsport to discuss on the latest podcast as we review the highlights and hear from some of the swimmers making waves. pullbuoy.co.uk/commonwealth-g…

@SwimNerds @JZook1016 IMO I t’s hard for people to focus on the 50 in any form trike unless you know you’re top 3/4 because of the qualification process

@JZook1016 Name 1 girl focusing solely on the 50 Back tho

Not targeting the 50 Back?

GB has named a team of 37 for the European Championships in Paris later this year. That includes 7 senior debutants and 7 wild card picks to bolster relays. First look: pullbuoy.co.uk/european-champ…

@DanOgunshakin Pleasure

@pullbuoy Thank you! That's very helpful

After a fast week of racing in London these are the top 10 men’s and women’s swims ranked by World Aquatics points. Points can be very unreliable comparators but hard to argue with the top 4 women’s swims. What do you reckon?

@DanOgunshakin 1000 is the WR; anything over 900 is very good, but because it’s relative to the WR, it will vary - in some events 850 will be exceptional because the WR is so far ahead of everyone else.

@pullbuoy What would be considered an elite points total just by way of comparison?

To illustrate the vagaries of points, Duncan Scott’s 200IM was 0.36 faster than last year, but thanks to Leon Marchand scored 24 fewer points than 2025.

Now updated with all the home nation selection standings. Some tough decisions in store for England and Scotland. pullbuoy.co.uk/commonwealth-g…

@tsv3y3 Or in Glasgow!

@pullbuoy Poor James just can't quite seem to get that 1:44. Hopefully in Paris.

WHAT A RACE! maybe not as quick as we expected but full of drama. Matt Richards gets the win in 1:44.77 over James Guy in 1:45.38, Duncan Scott in 1:45.44 and Jack McMillan in 1:45.91- all four will be off to Paris.

A fast and furious final night in London gave us a host of Paris qualifiers, headlined by a superb 100m breaststroke from Angharad Evans. For a GB selection update head here: pullbuoy.co.uk/commonwealth-g…