After a thrilling week in London at the British Swimming Championships, the British team has confirmed its squad for the 2025 World Championships in Singapore (27 July – 3 August). Featuring 28 swimmers, the selection strikes a balance between the experience of Paris 2024 medallists and the emergence of promising young talents making their first steps onto the senior international stage. While names like Duncan Scott, Matt Richards and Ben Proud remain fixtures, the team’s composition clearly signals an ambition: to gradually integrate the next generation at the highest level, with a clear eye on Los Angeles 2028, where several of the newcomers could well have a major part to play.
London 2025 : a springboard for the next generation.
The major talking point of this selection is the prominence given to young swimmers, many of whom come through university programmes or national performance centres. Among the eight debutants making their senior World Championships bow, 17-year-old Jacob Mills (Repton School) is a prime example of British Swimming’s renewal strategy. Delivering impressive performances during the trials, particularly in the 50m and 100m freestyle, events that demand explosive power often lacking at a young age. Mills not only secured a podium finish but also met the strict qualifying standards. His inclusion reflects a policy where the learning curve will be as much about immersion in an elite environment as about racing experience.
Holly McGill (University of Stirling) and Max Morgan (Reeds Swimming Club), both first-time selections thanks to strong showings either individually or in relay events, will equally have the opportunity to test themselves against the world’s best.
This integration strategy is rooted in a long-term vision. As Performance Director Chris Spice underlined, the dual aim is to expose young swimmers to major championship environments while, longer term, building the foundation of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic squad. Eva Okaro (Repton), 19, is a case in point. A former junior medallist, she earned her place in Singapore by claiming the British title in the 50m freestyle, clocking inside the qualification standard, and represents a new wave of sprinters ready to step up alongside the likes of Abbie Wood and Freya Anderson. Similarly, Angharad Evans (University of Stirling) sealed her spot with British records in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke, and is seen as a future leading figure within the women’s team and a key relay contributor, just like Oliver Morgan in the men’s backstoke events.
This emergence of young talent comes at a pivotal moment, with British Swimming also reviewing its relay strategy, historically a strength, to ensure the nation remains competitive at the top level.
Between continuity and transition: a team structured around its leaders.
Alongside these promising young names, Britain’s senior core remains firmly intact. Tom Dean (Bath Performance Centre), James Guy and Matt Richards (Manchester Performance Centre), all part of the gold medal-winning 4x200m freestyle relay team in Paris, will once again lead the charge in Singapore. Richards, the reigning world champion over 200m freestyle, will go head-to-head with compatriot Duncan Scott (University of Stirling), who will contest both the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley. Ben Proud (Chelsea & Westminster SC), last year’s Paris silver medallist in the 50m freestyle, completes a group of seasoned international performers, each with multiple world and Olympic finals under their belts. Their automatic pre-selection reflects the staff’s trust and the plan to use their experience to mentor the younger athletes.
Surrounding these established stars are a cluster of rising talents, either already breaking through or rediscovering their top form. Freya Colbert (Loughborough Performance Centre), national champion in the 200m freestyle and 400m individual medley, and her “rival” Katie Shanahan (University of Stirling), entered in the 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley, represent the perfect bridge between youth and established senior success. Chris Spice and the coaching staff have highlighted their importance not just for individual events, but also for maintaining Britain’s strong position in the overall medal table.
Another notable inclusion is Emily Richards, a middle-distance specialist who recently married Matt Richards, making them the first married couple to represent Great Britain at a World Swimming Championships.
Through this selection, Aquatics GB is making a clear statement: balancing the pursuit of immediate results with a longer-term vision. Singapore 2025 will not just be a stepping stone towards Los Angeles, but a full-scale test of the maturity and readiness of the next generation expected to fly the British flag in years to come, all in an increasingly competitive global landscape, where every swim will matter from the very first heats.
The full list of British selected swimmers :
- Freya Anderson, University of Stirling
- Greg Butler, Loughborough Performance Centre
- Freya Colbert, Loughborough Performance Centre
- Lauren Cox, Loughborough Performance Centre
- Tom Dean, Bath Performance Centre
- Angharad Evans, University of Stirling
- Luke Greenbank, Loughborough Performance Centre
- James Guy, Manchester Performance Centre
- Lucy Hope, University of Stirling
- Evan Jones, Manchester Performance Centr
- Max Litchfield, Loughborough Performance Centre
- Keanna MacInnes, University of Stirling
- Jack McMillan, University of Stirling
- Jonathon Marshall, Carnegie Swimming Club
- Holly McGill, University of Stirling
- Edward Mildred, Manchester Performance Centre
- Jacob Mills, Repton
- Max Morgan, Reeds Swimming Club
- Oliver Morgan, University of Birmingham
- Eva Okaro, Repton
- Ben Proud, Chelsea & Westminster Swimming Club
- Emily Richards, Manchester Performance Centre
- Matt Richards, Manchester Performance Centre
- Leah Schlosshan, Manchester Performance Centre
- Duncan Scott, University of Stirling
- Katie Shanahan, University of Stirling
- Abbie Wood, Loughborough Performance Centre
- Jacob Whittle, Bath Performance Centre
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