Seven swimmers from the University of Stirling will compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics, forming the largest contingent ever to be selected for a single Games.
Olympic champions Duncan Scott and Kathleen Dawson will be joined by Lucy Hope, Jack McMillan, Keanna Macinnes, Katie Shanahan and Angharad Evans to represent Team GB in Paris.
Scott, who became the first British athlete to win four medals at a single Olympics, said: “All eyes now towards Paris.
“Every Olympic Games is vastly different, but I think you can draw on past experiences and that, hopefully, should benefit me.”
For fellow champion Dawson, this achievement is extra special as she has had to fight to recover from a career-threatening injury. She said: “It’s very emotional for me. I’ve come through a back injury in the last three years, so this is one of the highest points in my life.”
Hope and McMillan will head into Paris with Olympic experience, following their debuts at the 2020 Tokyo Games. For Shanahan, Evans and Macinnes though, Paris will represent their first taste of Olympic competition.
Coach Tigg to accompany athletes in Paris
The group will be joined by a familiar face as Steve Tigg, Head Performance Swim Coach at the University, has also been selected as part of the Team GB coaching team.
Reacting to the announcement of both his and the team’s achievements, Tigg said: “I am incredibly proud of all our athletes who have qualified for the Olympics.
“For the University to have seven swimmers selected for the Team GB Olympics squad is a phenomenal achievement – and it reflects our athletes’ unwavering determination to succeed, their meticulous preparation, and the high-quality sporting environment in which they train every day.
“I am fortunate to be travelling to Paris with the team and I’m excited to witness first hand what this group can achieve, together with their teammates, on the world stage.”
Head of Performance Sport at the University, David Bond, was quick to heap praise on the swimmers, saying: “A huge congratulations to the seven University of Stirling swimmers selected to compete for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This landmark achievement is yet another example of how our athletes continue to compete at the highest levels in sport – underlining our reputation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
“On behalf of everyone at the University, I wish our swimmers and the wider Team GB squad the best of luck when they travel to Paris later this year.”
Fans will be able to support Team GB when the Paris Olympics get underway on Friday July 26, with the swimming set to begin the following day.
Featured image credit: University of Stirling
Sports Editor @brignewspaper
