As the Olympics are set to start in full swing on Friday, 26 July, the Olympians are preparing and warming themselves up for their big moments to compete for their countries at the games. Among the Olympian athletes taking part in the competitive sports are eight University of Stirling swimmers.
In 2021, six athletes from the university competed in the Olympics – five swimmers and one judoka – however, this year hosts the largest group of swimmers from the university to compete in the games.
The swimmers include Olympic champions Duncan Scott and Kathleen Dawson, who will be competing for Great Britain alongside Lucy Hope, Jack McMillan, Keanna Macinnes, Katie Shanahan and Angharad Evans.
Also competing in the games from the Stirling high-performance swim programme is Paige van der Westhuizen who will be competing for Zimbabwe.
The Stirling athletes will be coached by Steve Tigg, Aquatics GB Coach and the University’s Head Performance Swim Coach. Alongside Coach Steve Tigg is Martyn Walton, who also coaches for the Stirling programme, and Alan Rankin, the physiotherapist for the University athletes.
In recent weeks the athletes have been preparing themselves for the games by perfecting their pool performance, attending kit out day, and partaking in media activities.
They were even visited by former sprinter turned broadcaster Jeannette Kwakye MBE to film a feature which aired on the BBC’s The One Show on the evening of Monday, July 22.
“We are consistently producing and developing the next generation of swimmers for Scotland”
This achievement has gained the athletes immense praise and attention from many important people, including David Bond, the Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling.
He praised the athletes highly and wished them well on the games: “The Olympics are the pinnacle of an athlete’s career – and their selection is the result of years of intense training, determination and hard work.
“To have a record number of University of Stirling athletes represent their countries at Paris 2024 is an enormous achievement for not only our swimmers, but also for our talented and passionate staff who support them every day.”
He continues: “The University of Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and, under the leadership of Steve Tigg, our high-performance swim programme at the University continues to thrive.
“We are consistently producing and developing the next generation of swimmers for Scotland, Great Britain, and a host of other countries too – and I’m incredibly proud of all that we continue to achieve.”
“We are excited to see our athletes in action as the Olympics get underway later this week – and wish them all the best in their events.”
“I’m still as hungry as I was (at previous games).”
The University of Stirling is known for its sporting excellence and these students are not the first swimmers from the university to compete in the Olympics.
Kathleen Dawson and Duncan Scott, who are also competing in this year’s games, returned from the 2021 Olympic Games with an array of medals. Scott won a record-breaking four medals – one gold and three silver, and Dawson returned with a gold medal in the mixed 4x100m Medley Relay.
Since then Dawson has gone through back injury issues and is incredibly happy to be back and competing in Paris this week.
She stated: “It was very touch and go whether I’d be on this team. Thinking back three years ago, after the last Olympics, when I was going through so many issues with my back, it was uncertain whether I’d be on this team. So, to have made it, I’m unbelievably proud of myself.”
Scott also reflects on previous Olympic years: “I’m still in love with the sport – I really enjoy what I do. There are so many things that I know I can improve on and get better in; I’m still as hungry as I was (at previous games).”
Also in the team
In addition to the returning Olympic athletes from the University is newcomer Angharad Evans. Just finishing first year studying Business Studies and Management, Evans reflected on the year and praised the University for its support:
“The support from the University has been amazing. As a swimmer, it’s hard to balance university work and swim training – but they have done everything they can to help us.”
Charlotte Henshaw, a Stirling Graduate, has been chosen to represent Great Britain in Para-canoe at the Paralympics. While at Stirling, Charlotte was a para-swimmer before changing to para-canoe. Henshaw is no stranger to the Paralympics and this will be her fifth time at the games.
Stirling is renowned for its excellence in sports and its high-performance swim programme offers an abundance of training, world-class coaching, support for competition and funding, along with access to world-class facilities and academic flexibility to ensure the best for its students.
The Olympic Games will take place in Paris from July 26 until August 11. The Paralympics will then take place from August 28 until September 8.
Featured Image Credit: Jeff Holmes
Writer at Brig Newspaper
2nd year Journalism and English student
