Schoolboy Benson ‘in shock’ after securing selection for Olympics

Craig Benson, the 17-year-old James Young High schoolboy, pulled off the swim of his life and joined the Saturday pair of Hannah Miley and Robbie Renwick as Scots celebrating Olympic selection after the second day of trials at the British Gas Championships at the new Aquatics Centre in London.

Livingston’s Benson, winner of the World Junior Championship in Peru last year, finished second behind British record holder Daniel Sliwinski (1:00.09) in the 100m breaststroke and the Warrender swimmer’s personal best time of 1:00.47 was good enough to make his Olympic dream come true.

“I’m in shock,” was the immediate reaction from the Scottish teenager, who held off his more experienced compatriots, Michael Jamieson and Kris Gilchrist, in the final. “I went into the final thinking I could do it. But actually to do it is just amazing.”

Jamieson took the bronze medal in 1:00.50, with Gilchrist fifth in 1:01.50, and they will now have to rely on gaining places in the 200m breaststroke.

In a highly-competitive 200m freestyle, Renwick (1:47.25), Jak Scott (1:48.55) and David Carry (1:48.61) were the three Scots that comfortably made it through the semi-finals and will be chasing individual and relay places this evening. “It’s great to have qualified in the 400m yesterday and I’m now looking forward to a long lie tomorrow and then going all out for the 200m final tomorrow night,” said Renwick, who was the fastest qualifier.

Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington showed she is well on course for a repeat in London by winning the 400m freestyle in 4:02.35 and Jo Jackson, the bronze medallist from Beijing, also made the qualifying time in second place in 4:06.47.

In the 100m butterfly final, Australian-based Ellen Gandy set a British record of 57.25 and was joined by second-placed Fran Halsall (57.56) as an Olympic qualifier. “All I’ve wanted to say for the last four years is that I’m going to the London Olympics and now I’ve made it,” said the English winner. “It feels unbelievable.”

On Saturday, Miley, with a terrific time of 4:32.67 in the 400m individual medley, and Renwick, setting a Scottish record of 3.46.73 in the 40m freestyle, were the first two Scots to make into Team GB.

But a silver medal behind Renwick in 3:48.36 was a frustrating 0.23 secs too slow for Carry to make sure of his third successive Games. However, he will have a second chance to qualify for the event in the second round of trials in June.

Miley was thrilled at posting the fastest time in the world this year. “It’s taken a huge pressure from my shoulders now that I know that I’ve made it,” said the 22-year-old, who is coached by her father, Patrick at the Garioch Club in Inverurie. “I didn’t expect to swim so fast and the atmosphere in the pool was absolutely amazing. It’s going to be so cool to be back here in five months’ time at the Olympics. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Renwick admitted it was “total relief” to make it in his first event. “I wanted to get my foot in early and I feel so proud to think I’ll be back here for the Olympics,” said the 23-year-old, who made the 200m freestyle final as a teenager in Beijing four years ago.