by Craig Wright
Six swimmers from the University of Stirling have been selected in Great Britain’s performance squads for 2017.
The squads, divided into Podium – for those expected to challenge for medals – and Podium Potential – for “dark horse” medal contenders – were announced last week as attentions turn away from the Rio 2016 Olympics and towards Tokyo in just under four years’ time.
Rio silver medallist Duncan Scott is one of two Stirling swimmers included in the Podium squad, with the 19-year-old joined in the uppermost level by fellow Olympic silver medallist Dan Wallace, with the Glasgow 2014 star a new recruit to the university club.
The Podium Potential squad includes four representatives from the university: Commonwealth Games champion Ross Murdoch is joined by three of British swimming’s most exciting prospects in European Open Water Champion Danielle Huskisson; 17-year-old Craig McLean; and Kathleen Dawson, who earlier this year became the first Scottish woman to swim the 100m backstroke in under a minute.
Cathy Gallagher, director of sport at the university, expressed her delight at the announcement saying: “It’s fantastic to see the University of Stirling so well-represented among this roster of young athletes who show huge potential for the future.
“Team GB has great belief in these swimmers to be future Olympic champions and the support provided by British Swimming, alongside the support and guidance of the University programme, will allow our athletes to further develop in their sport.”
Along with the chance to train with University of Stirling coaches Ben Higson and Steven Tigg, recently named as Scottish Sport’s Coaches of the Year, members of the performance squads will receive added benefits, such as world-class sports science and training camp opportunities.
British Swimming’s Head of Elite Development Tim Jones said: “The past year has been great with some strong performances from a number of our young and talented swimmers. As we begin the new quadrennial we have used this opportunity to make some obvious investments into a new generation of athletes with a clear focus on Tokyo and beyond.”
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