Glory for Hamilton Aquatics swimmers Velimir Stjepanovic and Rosie Morgan

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  • Velimir Stjepanovic (left) qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics for the 400m freestyle.

    Swimming sensation Velimir Stjepanovic booked his place in the Rio 2016 Olympics after achieving an A-standard qualifying time in the 400m freestyle at the Eindhoven Swim Cup, but the Dubai-based Serb came just short in his other two events.

    The 21-year-old clocked 3:48.85 in the 400 free to take silver in the race and move to eighth in the world.

    The double European champion, who trains at UAE club Hamilton Aquatics, was looking to secure A-cut times in the 200 free and 200 butterfly as well, to get his Olympic qualification out of the way early on.

    But despite missing out in the 200m races, his coach, Chris Tidey, believes the job has been done since Stjepanovic clocked B-standard timings in both events.

    “The aim was to get the A-cut in all three but I think I misjudged how tired Velimir was,” Tidey told Sport360.

    “I misjudged how tired Velimir was but the job is as complete as it would have been anyway.” Chris Tidey, Velimir Stjepanovic’s coach. 

    “He just missed it by half a second and 0.7 in the 200s. But he was well-rested for the 400 free – it’s still a heavy race to get through but it doesn’t require as much power as the 200.

    “So he got the A-cut in the 400m and he swam B-cuts in the 200s, so he’ll be able to swim them since the 400 gets him to Rio.

    “The job is as complete as it would have been anyway. He also still has another year and three months to get the A-cut should he want to (before the Olympics). It doesn’t affect the long-term plan.”  

    Stjepanovic’s club team-mate, Kuwaiti Olympian Mohamed Madwa, set a new personal best in the 50m free and is just 0.02 seconds off the B-cut for the Rio Games.

    Meanwhile, Hamilton Aquatics’ 12-year-old Rosie Morgan stunned the crowd with her performances at the Scottish National Age Group Championships this week, coming away with eight gold medals and one silver, despite having just two days of rest between her previous meet in Sheffield and Nationals in Aberdeen.

    Morgan is one of the most promising young swimmers at the Dubai club and some of the timings she recorded place her at the top of the British rankings in more than one event.

    “The results reflect not only the talent, but also the hard work of Rosie. She just loves to race and has a special gift of being able to perform in the big arena,” said Hamilton head coach Ash Morris.

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