Liam Tancock

Sport: Swimming

Nation: Great Britain

DOB: May 7, 1985

Hometown: Exeter

Career Highlights: British sprint swimmer Liam Tancock is one of Team GB’s strongest medal prospects at the aquatic centre. Tancock had already established himself as one of his country’s leading male athletes in the pool when he travelled to the 2007 World Championships, but bronze medals in both the 50 and 100m backstroke cemented his place as one of the bright hopes, and he followed up his world success with a gold and two silvers at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne later that year. Selected for the Great Britain team for the Beijing Olympics, he failed to medal, finishing sixth and eight in the 100m backstroke and individual medley. Tancock cemented his place as one of the sport’s big hitters when he won the 50m backstroke in a new world record time, while also setting a national record for the 100m. Two years later he retained his world crown in Shanghai. The 27-year-old is expected to medal in the 100m backstroke, although French swimmer Camille Lacourt will provide strong competition and Japan’s Irie Ryosuke is one to watch.

Olympic History: 2008