Miley sets world best in 200IM

Britain’s Hannah Miley set the fastest time in the women’s the 200m individual medley this year as she sealed her second spot in the British team for the London Olympics at national trials here on Tuesday.

Miley won in a time of 2 minutes 10.77 seconds, with Sophie Allen less than a second behind as she edged out Sophie Smith in 2:11.71.

Miley, silver medallist in the 400m individual medley behind Stephanie Rice in Beijing four years ago, had already secured her Olympic place in the 400m medley.

She looms as a major threat to Australia’s 200IM Olympic hopefuls including Rice, Alicia Coutts and Emily Seebohm.

“I knew it was going to be a big race on my hands with so many younger girls coming through and stepping up to the medley,” said the 22 year-old Miley, trained by her father Patrick.

“I recently watched an interview from 2006 when I stated that the breaststroke was my weakest stroke,” said Miley. “We have worked on it since then.”

Allen’s time of 2:11.71 was the third fastest in the world this year and lifted her to second in the British all-time list.

In the men’s competition, Joseph Roebuck recorded the year’s fastest 200m butterfly time with 1:55.94.

Meanwhile Rebecca Turner beat world and Olympic medallists to win the 200 metres freestyle as she booked her 2012 place.

Turner moved from fourth to first on the final length to relegate fastest qualifier and former world, European and Commonwealth medallist Caitlin McClatchey to second in a personal best time of one minute 57.65 seconds.

Turner’s City of Sheffield team-mate Eleanor Faulkner was third with British record holder and Beijing 400m bronze medallist Jo Jackson fourth.

“It was very unexpected,” Turner said. “I only came into this to try and get a relay spot so to get this is amazing.

“On the last turn I thought, ‘Just go for it. What the heck. I’m close to this so go for it.’ It was a very competitive field with Olympic medallists and finalists and relay swimmers. To get above everyone is unreal.”

Turner said training with Miley had been beneficial, adding: “It was a good to see what a world medallist does. I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it.”

McClatchey’s time of 1:58.07 means she will have to try again for Olympic qualification at the Amateur Swimming Association National Championships in June.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!