Olympic Swimming Squad set for Edinburgh Preparations

Britain’s swimmers will converge on Edinburgh for the most important camp of their four-year Olympic cycle where they will add the finishing touches to their London 2012 Olympic Games preparations at the Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP).

British Swimming selected the RCP ahead of venues at home and overseas following the facility’s £37.1m refurbishment and it will now be the team’s base in July just days before the Games begin.

Unrivalled access to the world class RCP was at the heart of British Swimming’s decision to host the camp in Edinburgh as well as the unique environment the city offers to the athletes as they prepare for the biggest sporting event Britain has ever seen.

British Swimming National Performance Director Michael Scott explained: “We carried out an exhaustive search, both home and abroad, to identify the best possible environment for our camp and chose Edinburgh for all that it has to offer at this crucial time in the lead up to the London Olympics.

“City of Edinburgh Council is providing the team with fantastic access to a world-class aquatics facility and the historic city lends itself to a relaxed, low-key training camp at a very high-pressure time.

“We’re confident this camp will be conducive to finalising preparations and ensuring the nation’s athletes are at their very peak as they prepare to represent Team GB at the home Olympics.”

As the nation’s excitement builds towards the London 2012 Olympics, the swimmers will use the RCP from 18 to 24 July. During this time the pool will be closed to the public at certain times throughout the day to allow the team of 40 plus swimmers and 30 plus support staff to prepare for the Games.

“We appreciate all of the support the City of Edinburgh is providing to the Olympic swimming team especially those who run and use the RCP,” said Scott.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture, Sport and Leisure Convener, said: “The impressively refurbished RCP has a long and proud history and we believe it will provide the perfect platform for our swimmers to make history of their own at this summer’s Olympics.

“It’s a huge accolade for Edinburgh that our nation’s Olympic swimmers chose to hold their final training camp at the RCP and no doubt the presence of such inspirational athletes will encourage more people to get involved in swimming and make use of this fantastic venue.”

The RCP offers a 50m pool, two 25m pools, a dry land training area, a gym and will also accommodate sport science and sport medicine services for athletes during the seven-day camp.

Edinburgh Leisure Director of Operations Graeme Gardiner said: “Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, is extremely proud to be facilitating the national swimming team during their final preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games within the city's stunning new venue, The Royal Commonwealth Pool.  

“This is a fantastic honour for Edinburgh and we hope customers will understand that there will be some disruption to normal service and opening hours during this unique time. 

“We hope that the presence of our country’s most talented swimmers will be an inspiration to the next generation of Olympic hopefuls that will visit the Royal Commonwealth Pool for many years to come.”

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