Swimming: England teenager in squad

(First Edition)

MARTIN CARL, the Essex teenager who became the first Briton since 1966 to win a 100 metres freestyle gold medal at a major event when taking the European junior title in August, has completed a highly promising year by winning a place in the senior England squad for 1993.

Earlier this month, the 17-year-old confirmed his ability to compete successfully at a higher level, collecting two silver medals at the Optrex National Winter Championships in Sheffield. 'Martin is clearly an exciting young talent,' Paul Bush, the Amateur Swimming Association's new director of swimming, said.

Bush is equally encouraged by the return to the England fold of the former double Olympic medallist, Sarah Hardcastle. The 23-year-old from Southend is back in training after a six-year retirement and showed in Sheffield, where she won both the 400m and 800m freestyle, that she is still a force in the sport. 'It was great to see Sarah swimming so confidently,' Bush added. 'Knowing her, I'm sure there is a lot more to come.'

Squad, sport in Short, page 47