Willmott set for third Commonwealth Games as Walker-Hebborn misses out on Gold Coast spot

The swimmer is among the final 24 names selected to take to the Australian waters next year, with the double silver medallist from Glasgow 2014 the headline addition to those picked before Christmas.

But for Willmott, this Games will be vastly different to the ones that have gone before.

Making her debut as a 17-year-old in India eight years ago, the Middlesbrough-born swimmer has grown in more ways than one since that triumphant introduction, securing both 200m butterfly and 400m medley silver last time out.

Willmott also became a double European medallist in the same year, with her selection for Gold Coast confirmed with her 400m medley efforts in December's National Winter Championships.

"My first memories of senior swimming were at the Commonwealth Games," she said.

"I swam at Delhi and I was one of the youngest on the team. This time round I'll be one of the oldest on the team.

"It's a great environment for swimmers from England to make the team and get that experience. That's one of the great things about the Commonwealths."

Defending 100m backstroke champion Chris Walker-Hebborn will not be joining Willmott in Gold Coast though, missing out on automatic selection in October and failing to reach the required time in December's meet.

But there is a place for James Wilby, part of the medley relay team that secured gold four years ago, while Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth gold medallist Ollie Hynd is set to make his second appearance at this level.

The newly-selected swimmers join the 15 already picked for Team England for the April Games, with Adam Peaty, Ben Proud and Siobhan-Marie O'Connor among those looking to better the squad's 28 medals last time out.

Sportsbeat 2018