TOP senior swimmers from around the UK including Vale star Cameron Brodie will descend on London for the British Swimming Championships which take place between April 14-18.
The venue is the Olympic Pool and this will be the first major event to be held there since the amazing Olympic Games in 2012.
Day two (Wednesday 15) is the main focus for Evesham swimmer Brodie as the schedule includes the 200m butterfly, which is his favoured event.
2014 was a pivotal year for Brodie as his fourth place in the 200m butterfly at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games took him in to the top level of world swimming.
In the final, which was won by South Africa’s Olympic champion and multiple Glasgow medallist Chad le Clos, Brodie clocked 1 minute, 56.59 seconds, which was a personal best and his first Scottish National Senior record.
Following on from a tough period of winter training, Brodie has performed well in competitions since the start of this year, securing podium finishes in competitions in both Belgium and France.
His third meet of 2015 was in February when he won the British Universities Championships (BUCS) in Sheffield, achieving a new record time of 1 minute, 57.9 seconds.
Brodie said: “I had secured the record last year, however this year I was nearly two seconds faster. It’s clear evidence that I am in top form right now.”
The British Championships in April are the single qualifying event for the World Championships to be held in Russia in August and this is the main goal for Brodie.
Brodie, who was given a hero’s reception when he returned to his home town club Evesham Swimming Club after his Glasgow exploits, added: “The qualifying time required for an automatic place in the team is a tough 1 minute, 55.5 seconds.
“In all my competitions this year I have been in full training and the aching muscles restrict the times that can be achieved.
“The focus has always been London and my body will be in great shape then, allowing me to perform at my best.”
Brodie will be cheered on by all his friends from Evesham Swimming Club at the biggest annual swimming event in the UK, for which there will be coverage on TV and radio.
Cameron Brodie alongside Chad le Clos in Glasgow. (s)