Champion swimmer takes enjoyment from Ludlow sporting roots

Oliver Morgan achieved a hat-trick of British backstroke titles this year

A British swimming champion from Shropshire, who hopes to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, says enjoyment will lead to improvement.

University of Birmingham student Oliver Morgan, 20, achieved a hat-trick of British backstroke titles this year in the 50m, 100m and 200m.

The swimmer has a three-week training camp in Thailand in January, ahead of Olympic trials.

Morgan started with Ludlow swimming club around the age of 10 or 11.

He said his older sister was a swimmer, adding: "That kind of drew me in and then as soon as I got started, I couldn't stop."

Asked what he had taken with him from his sporting background in the town, the swimmer said: "I think it's that enjoyment.

"I think as long as... you keep enjoying it, have a positive kind of relationship with your team-mates and your coaches, I think that's what keeps you in the sport.

"As long as you're enjoying it, you're going to get better."

He is a student at the University of Birmingham

Morgan, from Ludlow, is ninth in the world in both the 100m and 200m backstroke.

He only started competing at a national level aged 16 and it was not until he moved to university that he began "at an elite level, where I thought 'I'll give this my all'".

He added: "I was still playing football, still doing mountain biking on the side and I think that really helped me moving into being an elite swimmer, because those different sports give you different attributes."

The Olympic trials will be held in April for a place in the GB team.

Asked what he was aiming towards going into the Olympics, Morgan said the 100 and 200m events.

He stated: "I think the 100's got that extra little bit to it with the relay, being part of a team again.

"But I think individually both the 100 and 200 are my favourite."

Morgan said he might have a little bit of downtime over the festive period.

"We're straight there [in Thailand] the first week of January, so I won't be having too much downtime. Maybe Christmas Day."