Guildford City Swimming Club Member Marco Loughran qualifies for Team GB

22 June 2012

Marco Loughran who has been training with Guildford City at Surrey Sports Park has secured a place at the London 2012 Olympics on Team GB for the Men's 200m Backstroke.

Marco won his spot alongside Chris Walker-Hebborn who took first place on day two of the ASA National Championships. This was a particularly sweet victory for Loughran who missed out on a spot in the 2008 team when he was beaten by Jimmy Goddard, who subsequently pulled out of the 200m backstroke.

"It's been four years. Ever since Beijing, when Jimmy Goddard pulled out of the 200 backstroke, all I've had in my head is an empty lane because that should have been my spot, and now it is," said the 23-year-old.

It was just six months ago that Marco quit swimming at the University of Florida, where he swam alongside Olympic champion Ryan Lochte as well as British world record holder Gemma Spofforth, and returned to Great Britain, facing some harsh criticism online.

Loughran said: "I've had some people in America - random haters sending me messages on Facebook saying I couldn't do it, I'd left it too late. I got through to the final, came back and showed them what I'm made of and I'm so proud of myself now."

Loughran has enjoyed a successful junior career thus far, including 100m backstroke gold, at the 2007 European Junior Championship and fourth place for Wales in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. With this latest achievement Marco is set to go head to head against the world’s best swimmers and hopefully come out with the result he wants with the full support of Guildford City and Surrey Sports Park.

Click here to see Marco’s interview after achieving a qualifying time at the National Swimming Championships.

Loughran also spoke to Surrey Sports Park TV back in February, reflecting on his previous swimming achievements and looking forward to London 2012.