Britain’s swimmers bound for the 2017 FINA World Championships will compete in Rome this week as their preparations for the main event in Budapest next month continue.
For start lists and results click here
For more information on the 2017 Sette Colli meet click here
The team has already competed in Japan and will be looking to make those final adjustments to race strategies when they face a strong and competitive field at the Seven Hills Meet in Rome.
For many it will be the final race of their preparations before they arrive in Budapest rested and ready to perform when the swimming gets underway on 23rd July.
Double Olympic silver medallist James Guy (National Centre, Bath) is looking forward to his final outing.
“It’s the last time we will race before the Worlds and it will be nice to see where we are and if any adjustments are needed in the last three to four weeks before the Championships,” said Guy.
“Rome will also provide a good opportunity to race the Australians – we don’t get that many chances – and hosts Italy will also be a strong challenge.”
Guy goes into the event off the back of a hard block of work which has left him in confident mood.
“My preparations since we came together in Tokyo last month have been good,” added Guy. “I’m in a great place, I’m happy with what I’m doing and how I feel, and this gives me great confidence.
“The work in the pool and the gym is some of the best I’ve ever done and it’s nice that everything is coming together for Budapest.”
Charlotte Atkinson (Loughborough University) will continue her journey as a first time member of the British Swimming World Championship team and is excited to compete in Rome.
“I’ve put in a solid block of work since making the team and I’m excited to see the impact of this as I look to work on my skills and processes in Rome,” said Atkinson.
“Preparations have gone really well since our last competition in Tokyo last month. I picked up a few things I wanted to work on and I will be looking to put these into practice in Rome.
“It is a fantastic event and offers a field that will feature some very tough girls. To compete outdoors in a former Olympic and World Championship pool is so exciting, it gives you that added buzz.”
British Swimming Head Coach Bill Furniss believes the competition is ideal for athletes due to the high standard and it gives the team a good period of time before they meet up again for the World Championships.
“This is another opportunity to bring our swimmers, coaches and staff together, and to operate as a cohesive unit,” Furniss said.
“We know the competition in Rome will be good and is one of the key reasons for selecting the event. We wanted a competition at the end of June that allowed swimmers to race close to when they start their taper phase which is where they lessen the workload in preparation to race rested.
“The timing is ideal in terms of preparation. All of the swimmers are in hard training still and so it’s a final opportunity to practice race processes before they begin their taper.”