Gilchrist ready to test friendship in pursuit of Olympic selection

By Sportsbeat staff

KRIS Gilchrist will know in just two weeks whether his Olympic dream will live on or be shattered - either way it's going to be a test of friendship.

CHALLENGE: Kris Gilchrist returned from his Paris training base last year and now works in Bath alongside key Olympic selection rivals Michael Jamieson and Andrew Willis (onEdition)

The men's breaststroke at next week's British Gas Swimming Championship, which doubles as the Olympic trials, is one of the most competitive events.

And Gilchrist will be coming up against training partners and close friends Michael Jamieson and Andrew Willis in the knowledge that something has got to give in the first competitive swimming action at London's new £250m Olympic aquatic centre.

"It's the most difficult male event to qualify for the Olympics in," said Gilchrist, in a conference call organised by the British Olympic Association.

"We are the three top ranked British breaststrokers and we're all in the top 12 in the world.

"Training against the world's best pushes me on, so if I do qualify I will be in a great position come the Games.

"We are best friends in and out of the pool, we talk about the fact there are two places and only three of us, but it's all good banter.

"There will probably be more banter flying about over the next week and a half. But during the trials I've decided not to share with those guys, as I think that will work best for me."

Gilchrist's main aim is the 200m breaststroke in which he is national record holder, from the 2009 World Championships in Rome, and a former world short course champion.

But both Jamieson and Willis have gone faster this season and only the gold and silver medallist at the trials will earn selection, providing they achieve the stated A standard in the final of the relevant event.

"This is the most exciting time to be a swimmer, for the majority of year it is just about training," added Gilchrist.

"We had a two-day visit at the end of last year and the Olympic pool was fantastic. You could tell from the structure of the building that it's going to be unbelievable and it's huge. 

"I was fortunate enough to race in Beijing but it's daunting to stand on pool side and realise you can't even see the top tier of seats.

"However, it's got to be an advantage to have competed in that environment before the Games."

The venue will accommodate 12,500 spectators during the Olympics but the capacity has been limited to just 2,500 for next week's test event.

© Sportsbeat 2012