British Swimming team confirmed for Doha World Championships

The primary focus of the World Championships in Doha is securing relay team quota places at Paris 2024 for Team GB - and the make-up of this British cohort is to maximise the chances of ensuring that lanes are booked for Olympic relay heats come July, and that these groups are well-tuned in the performance arena.

Nine medallists from this year's Worlds in Fukuoka are selected, including double world champion Matt Richards, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott, who amassed 10 podium places between them in Japan, while Lauren Cox, Lucy Hope and Anna Hopkin - all Fukuoka medallists themselves - are also set to play their part.

Adam Peaty, meanwhile, will return to the blocks in a GB cap on the back of some solid swims at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup events in October. There is versatility across this team, with Freya Colbert and Abbie Wood among those capable of contributing strongly to relays and contesting various individual events.

The inclusion of Ben Proud - Men's 50m Freestyle world champion in 2022 and bronze medallist 12 months on - sees him move on to seven World Championship appearances, the most of any current member of the British Swimming World Class Programme group.

Looking ahead to the third World Championship competition in 20 months, British Swimming Performance Director Chris Spice is focused on how the meet can play its part in the preparations for GB's bid to make more Olympic history in Paris.

"We are all aware of the unusual challenge that a World Championships in Olympic year could pose - but our swimmers and staff are preparing for Doha as a crucial part of our build-up to Paris and, before that, the British Swimming Championships in April," he said.

"Locking in relay places across the Olympic programme is a key focus, with our relay teams having been so successful in recent years, showing the versatility and depth of this cohort of athletes. On top of that, though, this is a great racing opportunity on the world stage and will be a serious test of our swimmers’ preparations and work over the winter months as they will still be in heavy training throughout the meet.”  

British Swimming team for 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar (11th-18th February 2024): 

Freya Colbert, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Lauren Cox, Loughborough University (England)

Kathleen Dawson, University of Stirling (Scotland)

Tom Dean, Bath Performance Centre (England)

Luke Greenbank, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Medi Harris, Loughborough Performance Centre (Wales)

Lucy Hope, University of Stirling (Scotland)

Anna Hopkin, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Joe Litchfield, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Max Litchfield, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Jack McMillan, University of Stirling (Northern Ireland)

Adam Peaty, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Ben Proud, University of Bath (England)

Matthew Richards, Millfield (Wales)

Duncan Scott, University of Stirling (Scotland)

Laura Stephens, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Jacob Whittle, Bath Performance Centre (England)

James Wilby, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

Brodie Williams, Bath Performance Centre (England)

Abbie Wood, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)