Thursday, June 23, 2016 Selections Reflect Strong Pathway for Scottish Swimming Athletes heading to Rio continue their training ahead of the preparation camp in Brazil, with the majority of swimmers competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games competing at the forthcoming Scottish National Open Swimming Championships at Tollcross International Swimming Centre from 30 June to 3 July 2016. “Our sport is in excellent health, we have strong uptake of our new LTS scheme, a growing membership base and some very encouraging international results and selections." Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer Scottish aquatic athletes have featured heavily in the Team GB selections for this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio. The swim team, which will compete in Rio is made up of over 30% of Scottish athletes, the Para Swim team includes 12-year old Abby Kane and Grace Reid’s selection for the Diving team is the first Scottish Olympic diver for over 60 years. The Olympic and Paralympic athletes were joined by other up and coming Scottish athletes when they competed at the recent LEN European Championships in London and the IPC European Championships in Portugal in May. Across the two championships Scots won a total of 20 medals. Scottish Swimming Performance Director, Ally Whike said, “I am delighted for the athletes, their coaches, families and support teams. The selections and results tell us that what we are doing is working, however we cannot become complacent - our focus has always been to support coaches and programmes help athletes perform in the summer when it counts. We are also clear that we need to continue to invest in, develop and improve all elements of our sport if we are to enjoy success in the future.” The wider development of the sport is also in good health with membership numbers growing year on year through the network of 160 clubs. The majority of those clubs are achieving the Governing Body SwiMark and SwiMark Plus accreditation, recognising good operating and governance practice. At the introductory level, Scottish Swimming launched its National Framework for Swimming in April 2015. The Framework focusses on improving the quality of Learn to Swim programmes and in year one has seen nearly half of the Local Authority / Leisure Trusts across Scotland signing up. CEO Forbes Dunlop commented, “Our sport is in excellent health, we have strong uptake of our new LTS scheme, a growing membership base and some very encouraging international results and selections; I would like to thank our members and partners, our success is down to their commitment and support. “While we still have a number of challenges to face, in particular we feel strongly that every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim, we continue to work with the Scottish Government on this aspiration and help ensure that swimming is a sport for all, a sport for life.” Athletes heading to Rio continue their training ahead of the preparation camp in Brazil, with the majority of swimmers competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games competing at the forthcoming Scottish National Open Swimming Championships at Tollcross International Swimming Centre from 30 June to 3 July 2016. Members of the media are invited to attend a lunch on Friday 1 July from 12pm - 2pm and interview selected athletes (Olympians/Paralympians), coaches and Scottish Swimming representatives. Please RSVP to Kirsten Phillips by 12pm Monday 27 June to confirm your attendance: k.phillips@scottishswimming.com or 07730661788. - End - Notes: The Scottish National Open Swimming Championships will be held at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow from 30 June to 3rd July. Team GB swimmers will be in attendance as part of their final preparation for Rio. Media enquiries or accreditation form can be submitted here: http://www.scottishswimming.com/media.aspx The draft programme for the Scottish National Open Swimming Championships can be found here: http://swimscotland.co.uk/ A copy of Scottish Swimming’s Corporate Plan (2015-2021) can be viewed here: http://www.scottishswimming.com/media/1410135/CorporatePlan2015_2021Web.pdf Scottish Swimmers on Teams to Rio: Athlete Club Coach Camilla Hattersley City of Glasgow Swim Team Ian Wright Hannah Miley Garioch Patrick Miley Craig Benson University of Stirling Ben Higson Ross Murdoch University of Stirling Ben Higson Robbie Renwick University of Stirling Steven Tigg Duncan Scott University of Stirling Steven Tigg Stephen Milne Perth City Ann Dickson Grace Reid Edinburgh Diving Club Jen Leeming * Dan Wallace Warrender Baths Club/Florida Gators Laurel Bailey/Jolyon Finck Abby Kane Ren 96 Sharon McIntyre Stephen Clegg East Lothian Swim Team Bruce Halloran Andrew Mullen Ren 96/ Manchester NPC Graeme Smith Scott Quin Warrender Baths Club Laurel Bailey/Kris Gilchrist * Please note that Dan Wallace is not in attendance at the Scottish National Open Swimming Championships