Loughborough quartet added to England team
LOUGHBOROUGH National Centre swimmers Jarvis Parkinson, James Wilby, Elliott Clogg and Abbie Wood have been selected to represent Team England at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Australia.
For Wilby, this will be his second Commonwealth Games, having been part of the gold medal winning 4x100m Medley Relay team at Glasgow 2014. He made two selection times at the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017, as well as securing a hat-trick of gold medals.
Wilby said: “The Commonwealth Games is always an enjoyable experience. “Glasgow 2014 was the first international meet that I ever competed in, and it’s always good because it’s known as the friendly games. It’s good to get some experience and race against some great guys.”
Parkinson will be competing at his first major senior international meet. He swam under the qualifying time in the 200m Individual Medley at the National Winter Championships which earned him selection for the Gold Coast.
Parkinson said: “I’m extremely happy and proud to have been selected to represent Team England at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. It’s always been a dream to represent my country at a senior level and it’s going to be a great opportunity.”
Also making their debut appearances at the Commonwealth Games are Loughborough teammates Elliot Clogg and Abbie Wood.
Wood said: “In 2014 I realised the Commonwealth Games were something to aim for and then making it to Worlds last year, I knew I could do it.
“With them being held in Australia and a multisport event it’s so exciting and it really does push you on to do the best you can. They were a really big target for me this year so I’m so pleased to have made the team.”
Clogg said: “This is my first year as a senior swimmer and I am proud to have made a good transition from junior to senior, it’s nice to know the hard work is paying off.
“I’m looking forward to representing Team England and swimming for my country against some of the best swimmers in the world. It will be a great experience for me and I just can’t wait to get started.”
These swimmers are four of 24 athletes announced today (Friday) and join fellow Loughborough swimmers Adam Peaty, Molly Renshaw, Sarah Vasey, Luke Greenbank and Jocelyn Ulyett on the England team.