Jones optimistic Britain's junior swimmers can push on from Baku
BySportsbeat
Published 29/06/2015 at 16:27 GMT
British Swimming's head of performance pathway Tim Jones is confident Baku is just the beginning for his young athletes as they aim to transfer their success onto the senior stage in the years to come.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Last week's swimming competition at the inaugural European Games also doubled up as the European Junior Championships for Britain's up and coming stars.
And they more than grabbed their opportunity, placing second in the medal table with seven golds in total.
The action began in style, with Team GB making an instant impact with three gold and a bronze on day one alone.
Duncan Scott, who will travel to Kazan next month as part of the senior team for the World Championships, was the most decorated swimmer and athlete on the whole of Team GB with three golds and one silver.
While Luke Greenback also showed his progress in the pool, not only winning two titles but also lowering the junior world record in the 200m backstroke.
And it is performances such as those which has Jones, Team GB's swimming team leader in Baku, optimistic for the future.
"This is very much a team with a long term focus on Tokyo 2020," Jones told British Swimming.
"The opportunity to experience a major games environment, deal with all of the challenges that this in itself brings, and perform outstandingly well is something all of the swimmers will take with them as a valuable learning experience.
"This event was a 10-day stop off on a much longer journey for these swimmers – designed to test them in the art of performing with excellence in a multi-sport environment. There have been many lessons learned, and some great memories to take away too.
"We made a concerted effort to focus on process, and then let our results take care of themselves.
"The challenge now for this group over the coming years will be to convert some outstanding junior potential into tangible senior international success."
© Sportsbeat 2015
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