Olympic and world champions among first lot of 29 England swimmers for CWG

New Delhi, Apr 23 (ANI): Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and world champions Liam Tancock and Gemma Spofforth will spearhead England's challenge in swimming competitions at the Delhi Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games England has named them among 29 swimmers selected to represent England at the Games, which start on October 3. A further 13 swimmers will be added to the list after the European Championships (August 4 to 15, Budapest) and the National Championships (August 18 to 21, Sunderland).

The swimmers named in team achieved qualification standards at the British Swimming Championships, which took place in Sheffield just over two weeks ago. The team also includes Simon Burnett and Ross Davenport, who return to Commonwealth Games action after winning a brace of gold medals each in Melbourne four years ago.

Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, 16, has earned a call-up after switching her nationality from Kenya. Ajulu-Bushell impressed at the trials where she won the women's 50m and 100m breaststroke double. She represented Kenya in the 2009 World Championships but decided to switch nationalities soon afterwards.

England team Chef de Mission Craig Hunter said "I'd like to welcome our first group of swimmers to the England team for Delhi and wish them the very best in their continuing preparations for the Commonwealth Games."

England swimming team leader for Delhi John Atkinson, said: "The swimmers selected for the England team can now begin their preparations for Delhi in earnest. For the others that didn't meet the qualification criteria there are still 13 places available on the team.

"Having an early trials will give the selected swimmers the chance to have a longer preparations and the later trials gives those swimmers that are hitting form later in the year a chance to make the team," he added.

England's swimmers finished runners-up to Australia in the swimming medals table at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games with eight gold medals, 11 silvers and four bronzes. England finished second to Australia on the overall medal table at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games with 36 gold, 40 silver and 34 bronze medals. (ANI)