London 2012 finalist Andrew Willis will lead a five-strong University of Bath-based contingent in the British Swimming squad for next week’s Flanders Speedo Cup in Belgium, the first overseas event of the Rio 2016 Olympic year.
Chemical Engineering graduate Willis, a bronze-medallist at last month’s European Short-Course Championships, is joined in the 34-strong squad by fellow National Centre Bath swimmers Charlie Attwood and Joe Hulme.
Jay Lelliott and Miles Munro, who are studying Sports Performance and Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering respectively, are also heading to Flanders for the competition, taking place on 23rd – 24th January.
“The Flanders meet provides another strong opportunity as part of an important overall race strategy for our swimmers,” said British Swimming National Performance Director Chris Spice.
“These events allow us to practice our identified process goals that are important for progression this season.
“For the vast majority of the squad this will be their first hit out of the year while they’re very much still in the middle of a big block of training as they prepare to meet the goals that have been set for 2016.”
The main focus is the British Championships in April, where qualification to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games can be earned.