Morgan breaks British backstroke record to secure place at Paris 2024
‘You can literally achieve anything!’ – Peaty on the hard work behind GB medal rush
Oliver Morgan sealed his place at the Paris 2024 Olympics in spectacular style by breaking the British 100m backstroke record.
Liam Tancock’s previous record had stood for 15 years, but Morgan’s final time of 52.70 rewrote the history books on day two of the British Championships.
He went under 53 seconds for the first time in the morning heats, before bettering his own best to defend his title just hours later.
It is the next step in an extraordinary journey for Morgan, who did not start competing at national level until the age of 16.
Morgan, now 20, burst onto the scene at elite level this time last year when he won three titles at the British Championships.
Just 12 months on and he is now going to be competing on the biggest stage in Paris this summer.
“If you asked me two years ago if I would be in this position, I’d have said there’s no way,” Morgan said.
“I can’t put it into words.”
Speaking about coming to the sport considerably later than many of his opponents, Morgan said: “It proves you don’t have to be there as a youngster.
“I did what I enjoyed when I was young. I played football and mountain biked.”
Jonny Marshall also went under the Olympic qualification time of 52.73 but had to settle for second, although it should be enough for him to reach the Games, while Tokyo bronze medallist Luke Greenbank finished third.
Elsewhere, 14-year-old Amelie Blocksidge successfully defended her 1500m freestyle title but was outside the Olympic qualification time.
Scotland’s Kathleen Dawson – whose progress has been stunted by injury over the last three years – did qualify for Paris by winning the 100m backstroke.
Alice Tai is in a strong position to reach the Paralympics after coming out on top in the 100m Para-backstroke event.
The Olympic Games will return with Paris 2024, live on Eurosport and discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
