Freya Anderson was 'nervous for the pain' on return from illness ahead 2024 Paris of Olympic Games bid
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Published 08/04/2024 at 08:38 GMT
Olympic gold medallist Freya Anderson said she was "nervous for the pain" ahead of her return to action following a glandular fever diagnosis earlier this year. The 23-year-old made her return at the 2024 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships with a place at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer on the line. Anderson will compete in Sunday's 100m final at the London Aquatics Centre.
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Freya Anderson said she was “nervous for the pain” as she returned to the pool after glandular fever diagnosis earlier this year.
The Olympic champion, who won a gold medal as part of Great Britain's 4x100m mixed medley relay at the Tokyo Games in 2021, was a doubt for the British Olympic trials this week.
However, the 23-year-old made the cut and raced in the 100m freestyle on Sunday, where she finished third to qualify for the final later in the day.
Anderson, who also won a bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the World Championships last year, is hoping for an improved effort to make the qualifying time at the London Aquatics Centre.
"I have not done any speed stuff in training," she said. "I could count the number of sprints I have done on my hand. I was more nervous for the pain of it.
"I did the job and am through to the final. Hopefully, I can get the time down a bit tonight."
After Anderson revealed her diagnosis in March, she admitted she can sometimes “be a write-off” and has to manage her load carefully.
The illness and lack of training ruled her out of this week’s 200m freestyle at the Aquatics GB Championships this week, but she made her return in the shorter race in her first competitive appearance since January.
"The thing with glandular fever is there is nothing you can do but rest," Anderson explained.
"I have a good week of training and then the fatigue will hit, or one week will be a write-off. It is something I have to be gentle with myself.
"I have compared it to the start of Covid where there was nothing you can do. I just have to accept it."
Only two places at the Paris Games are on offer, which will go to the winners of each British final who will take an automatic place if they make the 53.55 second qualification time.
Anna Hopkin was the strongest going into the final after posting a time of 53.68s, just shy of the qualifying time, while Eva Okaro recorded a lifetime best and was second with 54.60s.
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The Olympic Games will return with Paris 2024, live on Eurosport and discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
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