Cumbrian swimmer Luke Greenbank has realised his dream – with selection for his first ever Olympic Games.

Greenbank was today named among the first four swimmers to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The backstroke specialist, who began his career with Cockermouth Swimming Club, said he can’t wait to get out there and realise a dream he had held since the age of nine.

“To make the Olympic team means absolutely everything to me,” said Greenbank. “It’s the pinnacle of our sport, and it’s something I’ve wanted since I started swimming at nine years old.

“I can’t wait to get out there and experience it first-hand.

“Obviously the last year or so has been quite different with regards to not being able to train or compete as much, so I think that’s something a lot of athletes are missing in their lives.

“So to have that opportunity to go out to the Olympics and race on the biggest stage of them all is absolutely amazing, and like I say, I just can’t wait to get out there.”

Greenbank became a double medallist at his second World Championships in 2019 with his performances including securing gold as part of Great Britain’s history-making Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay team and bronze in the 200m Backstroke.

In 2018 he medalled at his debut Commonwealth Games, again in the medley relay where his team took home silver.

He joins Olympic champion Adam Peaty, Olympic medallist Duncan Scott and world medallist James Wilby in securing his place following British Swimming’s revision of its selection policy for the postponed Games.

Named in the pre-selection phase, the quartet earned their places on the plane to Tokyo having won individual medals at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju.

Team GB Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Mark England, commented: “We are thrilled to confirm that Adam, Duncan, James and Luke have been selected to Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics and would like to congratulate them on this outstanding achievement. We hope that this confirmation provides clarity and focus for this hugely talented group of swimmers as they continue their preparation for the Olympic Games.

“The mix of Olympic debutants and Olympic medallists within this group is extremely exciting and we know that their performances will uplift and inspire the nation this summer.”

Chris Spice, British Swimming National Performance Director and Team GB Swimming Team Leader, added: “I give my warmest congratulations to Adam, James, Duncan and Luke, who have all been selected to the Tokyo Olympic team as per our policy published a few weeks ago. These gentlemen are all outstanding athletes and great ambassadors for our sport.

“They were not only individual medallists from our most recent World Championships in Gwangju, but all returned home with relay gold medals as well. Their selections are richly deserved, and I know how the four of them will keep their heads down and work even harder now to be in the best possible shape for Tokyo.”