Rebecca Heyliger and Julian Fletcher, the Bermuda swimmers, will compete in Kazan, Russia, in next month’s Fina World Aquatics Championships.

The two swimmers came up short of achieving the A or B standard times to qualify for the meet, but were selected by BASA based on merit as they continue to work towards their ultimate goal of qualifying for the Rio Olympics next year.

“We had a spreadsheet showing the best times in the main event each year from 2011 to 2015,” Ben Smith, the Bermuda head coach, said.

“We looked for progression to fastest time with the goal of reaching the B standard for Rio in the next 12 months. As we didn’t have anyone reach the qualifying time for Worlds we needed to look at who is improving, who was close to qualifying.”

Heyliger, who is studying and training at the University of South California, will feature in her main events, the 50 and 100 metres freestyle. The 22-year-old is fresh off setting a Bermuda national record with a time of 26.58 sec in the event at the Bermuda National Championships last month.

Fletcher, 24, will be competing in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

Roy-Allan Burch is the only swimmer with a qualifying time for the World Championships, but he is still in North Carolina rehabbing after a freak accident ruptured both of his patella tendons. The 29-year-old is recovering from surgery and maintains his goal of reaching the Olympics.

“[We] would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both Rebecca and Julian for their selection,” said a BASA spokesperson.

“We would also like to congratulate all of our elite athletes for their performances to date and hope that they will all continue to strive for the ultimate goal of Olympic qualification.”