The Championships will act as the trials for the Olympic and Paralympics as well as the London 2012 swimming test event, and to guarantee a place at the Games, swimmers need to finish in the top two in their event and also make the A standard time set by British Swimming.

The likes of Adlington and 50 metre backstroke world champion Liam Tancock must see off challengers from Britain in order to make it to the start line at London 2012 and Scott admitted it will not be easy because of the expectations on their shoulders.

"There is so much more pressure on swimmers to make the team in Olympic year," he said.

"There is so much riding on this event because all of the swimmers know that London 2012 qualification is on the line for them.

"They will put everything into it and we will have to re-focus them after the trials to make sure they have that same commitment and passion for the Games.

"We don't want tourists at London 2012.

"We don't want to issue any Olympic tourist visas.

"We want our swimmers going there at their peak in London in and at the best of their ability."


The pressure of the event, which will last until March 10, has left Adlington (pictured) fearing about what will happen.

"I'm so worried it's unbelievable," she said.

"The amount of weight on my shoulders is killing me.

"It's just going to be such a relief if I do make it."

Adlington is the reigning Olympic champion in the 400m and 800m freestyle, and will try to qualify in the 4x200m freestyle, but she expects to face a serious challenge just to make the British team this time.

"I'm in two very, very tough events and I'm not stupid, I know there are going to be younger girls coming up, everybody wants to beat me," she said.

"You have to do it on the day, that's the most scary thing.

"If you get ill or just fall over the day before and pull something then you've obviously got a tough race on your hands.

"You've only got one opportunity to do it - eight girls all going for two places and a time - it is a scary thought.

"I hope I qualify – that's the biggest thing, I just want the chance to go and race at my home Games.

"I think everyone wants that opportunity and everybody wants to be there.

"We're all fighting for it."

Should the criteria not be matched by two swimmers in each event, there will in fact be a second chance to make the British team at the ASA National Championships in Sheffield from June 20 until 23.

The British Paralympic swimming trials run alongside the Olympic trials with Paralympic champions Ellie Simmonds, Sascha Kindred, Liz Johnson and Heather Frederiksen all set to be action.

The 11-time Paralympic champion Dave Roberts has withdrawn through illness but hopes to make the second trials in Sheffield in order to qualify for London 2012.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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