Swimmer meets Olympic qualifying time

Published: 25 January, 2012

Plymouth College elite swimmer, Ruta Meilutyte, 14, is awaiting official confirmation that she has booked her place at this summer's Olympic Games in London after putting in an outstanding performance at the International Meeting D'Hiver FFN in France.

The Lithuanian swimmer met the Olympic A qualification time for the 100m Breaststroke in a time of 1:07.72, the second fastest time by any female so far this year and a new Lithuanian National Senior Record.

"Ruta is an incredible swimmer, made all the more impressive by her young age", said Plymouth College director of swimming, Jon Rudd.  "The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee and the Lithuanian Swimming Federation have previously told us that achieving the qualification time will guarantee her place on their team for London 2012 and so we await their official notification with great anticipation."

"I met the qualifying time last year but it wasn't at a recognised event", said Ruta.  "I wasn't expecting to swim this fast in France because of where I'm at in my training so I'm absolutely delighted, particularly as this was an Olympic qualifying meet. 

"To represent my country at the biggest sporting event in the world will be such a great honour.  I will put 100% into my training and swim the best I possibly can."

Ruta is part of Plymouth College's elite swimming programme, run in partnership with leading swimming club, Plymouth Leander.  As well as the top youth swimmers from the UK, the programme also attracts national and international swimmers from around the world.