Swimming: Don't rule out Webb for Olympic spot, says rival (From Gazette Series)

Kris Gilchrist refuses to rule out rival swimmer Richard Webb for London 2012 Olympics

9:00am Friday 25th November 2011 in Sport

CHIPPING Sodbury swimmer Richard Webb didn’t enjoy the best of season’s this year but his main rival for a London 2012 Olympic spot, Kris Gilchrist, insists it would be dangerous to count him out.

While Gilchrist and fellow breaststroke specialists Michael Jamieson and Andrew Willis were going tooth and nail with the globe’s finest at July’s World Championships, Webb was not.

The 24-year-old may have picked up 100m bronze at both the British and ASA Championships, as well as fourth and a silver respectively in the 200m, but neither were good enough for a spot.

However, with March’s Olympic trials the next chance for Webb to show his rivals what he’s all about, former 200m world short course champion Gilchrist admits he’s keeping both eyes on him.

“Even though Richard will be the first to admit that things didn’t quite go according to plan for him last season he is certainly one to keep an eye on,” said Gilchrist.

“Richard has always been a good swimmer and you don’t become a poor one overnight. He is still dangerous in the build up to London.

“Sometimes big dips in form are followed by big progression and it is about how you bounce back from a setback that separates the good from the great.

“And knowing Richard like I do I am sure he will want to prove himself sooner rather than later and he certainly shouldn’t be counted out.”

Webb’s disappointing year could be down to the fact that he moved from Bath to the Somerset Cheetas before finally opting to live and train in Swansea.

And with Gilchrist experiencing a dip in form after a move himself, this time to Bath, the Commonwealth and European bronze medallist is backing Webb to bounce back at the first possible opportunity.

“It would be dangerous to read too much into last year as Richard changed coaches and moved to Swansea and when you up sticks it takes time to settle,” he added.

“That is something I know all about because when I moved to Bath it took me a while to find my rhythm again. But I think the decision to move to Swansea will turn out to be a great one.

“He now has great facilities and has gone to work under the Bud McAllister and he will soon start to see the fruits of this decision I am sure.”

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