News and Events
FRAN GETS HER THIRD OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION PLACE WITH ANOTHER WORLD CLASS TIME
On the final day of the British Swimming Championships, Fran equalled the fastest 50m Freeystyle in the world in a textile suit ever, coming just two hundreths of a second outside her own British Record with a time of 24.13secs.
Unfortunately the BBC Red Button did not show Saturday night's session but to watch the final and see Fran's reaction when she sees her time click here.
Fran said after the race "For the first time in my life I am speechless! I knew when I came into this meet that I was in great shape and I was swimming fast. There is definitely more to come, this is the fastest I have ever swum in March so if I keep the ball rolling in the summer it'll be good. I thought I was capable of producing a 24.5 second swim but to do that, oh my god I am so happy."
Fran will compete for 5 gold medals at the 2012 Olympics, a challenge for any competitor as she acknowledges: "It'll be a busy week but it keeps me out of trouble. Five gold medals is a big ask from anyone - apart from Michael Phelps - but I'll be happy with one."
Congratulations Fran on a fantastic week - bring on the Olympics!
FRAN SETS THE FASTEST TIME IN THE WORLD THIS YEAR FOR THE 100m FREE
Wearing a hot pink suit Fran swam a world class race in the 100m Free final at the British Swimming Championships. She was just two one-hundreths of a second off world record pace at the half way point, and finished in 53.57secs - the fastest time in the world in 2012 over 100m Free - and well within the event's qualifying time for the Olympics
Despite this Fran was typically her harshest critic. Speaking after the race she said "I’m a bit disappointed with the time, I thought I’d go a bit faster. But then I have never been this fast in Britain before and it is the fastest I have ever been at this time of year. My coach always tells me I never really turn up until the summer anyway so hopefully I will be able to go faster come the Games.”
Her choice of a hot pink swimsuit created a lot of attention and comment, and Fran's comments revealed a little about her reason for choosing pink: "I want to come high in the fashion stakes. The reason why I wore it is because when my dad comes to watch he tells my mum, ‘Fran’s not doing well, her stroke looks awful', and my mum has to tell him he's looking at the wrong lane. So if I wear the bright suit he can see what lane I'm in".
To watch the race and Fran's post-race interview click here.
Fran competes in the 50m Free today.
FRAN STORMS THROUGH THE 100m FREE HEATS AND SEMI-FINAL
Fran set the second fastest time in the world in the heats of the 100m Free as she finished in 54.14s. She seemed to have plenty left in the tank and indeed in that evening's semi-final she posted a time of 53.83s.
Speaking after the heats, Fran said "that was really easy, I was a bit surprised it was that quick to be honest. I came to just smooth it out and go long and strong rather than trying too hard. It was a bit scary really, I stuck to the race plan and went quicker than expected."
It will certainly be an exciting final tonight - you can watch via the BBC's Red Button coverage at 6.25pm 8/3/12 or listen at BBC5L Sports Extra
FRAN QUALIFIES FOR THE OLYMPICS
Fran successfully secured her place on Team GB for the 2012 Olympics when she finished second in the 100m Fly Final at the British Gas Swimming Championships. Her time of 57.56 was just beaten by Ellen Gandy who finished with a new British Record time of 57.25 and also qualified for the Olympic team.
To watch the race and also watch Fran's post-race interview click here. Fran's interview is the 4th video link and the race is a little further down the page.
Fran competes in the 100m Free and 50m Free later in the week.
FRAN TESTS ARENA'S NEW CARBON-PRO SWIMSUIT
Whilst at training camp in Tenerife, Fran tested Arena's new Carbon-Pro swimsuit. Watch the video here to see how she got on and hear her first impressions of the suit.
FRAN LOOKS FORWARD TO HER NEW CAR
Fran is currently training in the Tenerife sunshine but she has a sweetener to help her adjust to the UK's freezing conditions as she will be picking up her new car from sponsors Blue Bell (Crewe) Ltd when she returns. She has opted for a BMW Z4 M Sport - photos to follow.
FRAN TO APPEAR ON THE JONATHON ROSS SHOW
Saturday 7th January, 9.30pm ITV1
The Jonathon Ross show returns to ITV on Saturday night and Fran will be amongst his guests. Also appearing are fellow Olympic hopefuls Jade Jones and Louise Hazel, comedian John Bishop, physicist Brian Cox and singer Lana Del Rey.
Fran helps Europe set world best time
At last week's Duel In The Pool in Atlanta, Fran helped Europe set a world best time in the 100m Freestyle relay together with Jeanette Ottesen, Aliaksandra Herasimenia and Ranomi Kromowidjojo. However the time will not count as a world record as each swimmer was representing a different country.
Fran also came 3rd in the 50m Freestyle.
Fran to compete in December's Duel In The Pool
On 16th & 17th December Fran will compete in Atlanta as part of the European All Star team in Duel in the Pool.
Since 2003, Mutual of Omaha has sponsored one of the most fun meets featuring some of the world's greatest swimmers.
Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool matches Team USA's best against the best from Australia and Europe in head-to-head competitions for ultimate bragging rights.
Watch races from 2003-2009 here.
This duel meeting showcases the sport's most exciting swimmers in a short-course meters format. Team USA will face the European All-Star team featuring up to 22 men and 22 women from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland, Belarus, Denmark, Austria and Lithuania. Points are awarded for first, second and third places in individual and relay events. Read more.
Rosters - Nine Gold Medal team members make the team: Dagny Knutson, Dana Vollmer, Kate Ziegler, Mark Gangloff, Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Ryan Lochte, Eric Shanteau and Peter Vanderkaay. See Complete Roster (.pdf).
You can watch on TV in the US:
Dec 16th 7.00pm - 9.00pm ET on Universal Sports
Dec 17th 2.00pm - 4.00pm ET on NBC
View more News & Events stories.