Alice Dearing is set to become the first Black woman to represent Great Britain in an Olympic swimming event after finishing fourth at the Tokyo 2020 marathon swimming qualification event in Setubal, Portugal.
The top nine finishers - with a one athlete per nation qualifying rule - were guaranteed places at the Games. Dearing finished the 10km course in two hours two minutes one second.
In accordance with British Swimming's Tokyo Olympic selection criteria, Dearing, 24, was nominated for a place in the Team GB squad for the Games, following ratified by the British Olympic Association in the coming days.
In addition to becoming the first Black women to represent Britain in a swimming event at an Olympic Games, Alice is set to become only the third Black Team GB swimmer. Kevin Burns competed at the 1976 Games, with Paul Marshall taking bronze at the 1980 Moscow Olympics after competing in the heats of the men's 4x100m medley relay event.
"Achieving this is beyond my dreams," said Dearing, 24. "I'm so thrilled to be representing GB on the highest stage of my sport."
Team GB chef de mission Mark England, said: "This marks a significant moment in British Olympic history as Alice becomes the first Black female swimmer to compete for Team GB - something that she should feel extremely proud of, as it is an important moment in the 125-year history of British Olympians going to the Games.”
Dearing is competing in the open-water event.
