Following the great successes achieved in the pool last summer, including eight medals, including two world titles at the World Swimming Championships, as well as numerous podium finishes at the Under-23 and junior European Championships and the Youth Olympic Festival, and the Commonwealth Youth Games, a year ahead with major goals awaits. 

After a thorough selection process, WCP evaluates their ability to succeed in future Olympic and World Games to achieve excellence. Among those selected are Matt Richards, Tom Dean, James Guy, and Duncan Scott, gold medalists at the World Championships and are on the Podium list, which also includes triple Olympic champion Adam Peaty and Tokyo champions Kathleen Dawson, Freya Anderson, and Anna Hopkin.

The Podium Potential program includes first-time athletes expected to deliver outstanding performances. Among them is youth champion Amelie Blocksidge, the youngest member of this program.

Swimmers in the World Class Programme are part of the Podium or Podium Potential levels and will all receive support and assistance from British Swimming and UK Sport. In total, 54 athletes have been invited to this program that seeks excellence among the best swimmers in the sport. Among the benefits that WCP members receive is medical support, access to comprehensive support throughout the season, and access to a network of National Institute for sports programs in the UK.

Chris Spice, the performance director of British Swimming, is the first to highlight the tremendous potential of each of the 54 chosen athletes. "With a series of impressive results in the previous season, the challenge now for the swimmers is to surpass them." Spice adds that "the success in Tokyo can be leveraged on the path to Paris."

Swimmers invited to the British Swimming World Class Programme (WCP) Podium

• Freya Anderson, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Lewis Burras, Loughborough University (England)

• Freya Colbert, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Kathleen Dawson, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Thomas Dean, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Luke Greenbank, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• James Guy, Millfield School (England)

• Medi Harris, Loughborough Performance Centre (Wales)

• Lucy Hope, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Anna Hopkin, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Daniel Jervis, Swim Wales High Performance Centre (Wales)

• Joe Litchfield, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Oliver Morgan, University of Birmingham (England)

• Adam Peaty, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Jacob Peters, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Benjamin Proud, University of Bath (England)

• Matthew Richards, Millfield School (Wales)

• Duncan Scott, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Katie Shanahan, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Laura Stephens, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Jacob Whittle, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• James Wilby, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Brodie Williams, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Abbie Wood, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Podium Potential

• Jonathon Adam, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Amelie Blocksidge, City of Salford SC (England)

• Cameron Brooker, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Charlie Brown, Loughborough Performance Centre (England)

• Skye Carter, Basildon & Phoenix SC (England)

• Alexander Cohoon, Loughborough University (England)

• Phoebe Cooper, City of Sheffield (England)

• Lauren Cox, Loughborough University (England)

• Evelyn Davis, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Evie Dilley, Millfield School (England)

• Lucy Grieve, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Kara Hanlon, Edinburgh University (Scotland)

• Robbie Hemmings, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Charlie Hutchison, Loughborough Performance Centre (Scotland)

• Evan Jones, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Blythe Kinsman, Mount Kelly (England)

• Emily Large, Millfield School (England)

• Keanna MacInnes, University of Stirling (Scotland)

• Jack McMillan, University of Stirling (Northern Ireland)

• Tyler Melbourne-Smith, Loughborough University (Wales)

• Edward Mildred, Bath Performance Centre (England)

• Eva Okaro, Repton (England)

• Alexander Painter, Millfield School (England)

• Hector Pardoe, Loughborough University (Wales)

• Sienna Robinson, Loughborough University (England)

• Reuben Rowbotham-Keating, Loughborough University (England)

• Leah Schlosshan, City of Leeds SC (England)

• George Smith, University of Stirling (England)

• Matthew Ward, Bath Performance Centre (Scotland)

• Elliot Woodburn, Millfield School (England)"