22nd November, 2023
Oliver's racing programme for November kicked off with the West Midlands Winter Regionals on the 4th - 5th of November. This was held at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Oliver kicked it off with the 100m Backstroke winning the race in the final with a time of 52.31. Oliver also competed in the 100m Freestyle touching in with a time of 50.70. The following day, Oliver raced the 50m Backstroke where he set a new West Midlands Record with a time of 23.68.
Oliver then headed up to Sheffield to compete at the BUCS Short Course Championships from the 17th - 19th November. On Day 1, Oliver led the University of Birmingham Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay team to a 5th place finish with a lead-off time of 23.51.
Then on Day 2, Oliver raced the 50m Backstroke & 200m Backstroke along with the finals of the Men's 4x50m Freestyle Relay. In the Men's 50m Backstroke, Oliver stormed home to win the event comfortably with a time of 23.53. His 200m Backstroke then followed where he came second to GB teammate Cameron Brooker, touching in with a time of 1:56.21. Oliver then anchored the Birmingham 4x50m Freestyle relay to a 5th place finish.
On the final day, Oliver had the 100m Backstroke and the Men's 4x50m Medley Relay. Oliver came second again to Cameron Brooker knocking 0.8 seconds off his lifetime best to finish in a 51.36 in the final. Unfortunately the Birmingham team got disqualified having won a Bronze medal in the final of the Men's 4x50m Medley Relay.
Oliver looks ahead to the European Short Course Swimming Championships held in Otopeni, Romania next month where he is a member of the 35-strong GB team.