3-5 May 2008 Seville
Britain's long distance swimmers aiming for a place on the starting line of the inaugural Olympic 10km swim this summer in Beijing were looking to guarantee their spot. The six-strong squad included World Championship silver medallist Cassandra Patten and Olympic medallist David Davies and saw two British athletes competing in the male and female 10km races. They needed to finish in the top 10 to guarantee their place at the inaugural Olympic marathon swimming event. The other squad members competed in the 5km event.
If the country's top ranked swimmer failed to make it into the top 10 in the 10km but their fellow Britain did then their dreams of competing in Beijing would end. If neither of them made it into the top 10 then only the top ranked British swimmer would have a second chance at qualification at the Olympic test event in Beijing.