Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) and the Scottish Swimming today announced the 21 swimmers (11 men and 10 women) selected to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in October. This is the second of the 16 sports competing in Delhi to have its athlete selections confirmed.

Swimming is one of the most exciting and competitive sports in the Commonwealth Games, with more nations competing than in any other sport except athletics. The last Games in Melbourne in 2006 was the most successful Games ever for swimming, winning 12 medals including six gold. With a lot of the Scottish team at their competitive peak, there were many, truly exceptional performances. Prior to that, swimming has won an average of four medals at each previous Games. This year’s team is an exciting blend of youth and experience and reflects the rebuilding phase of the sport towards Glasgow 2014.

Amongst those named today are David Carry and Caitlin McClatchey both double gold medallist from Melbourne who set the Scotland team alight, both winning gold on the first day of the competition, beating the home favourites Australia in their own back yard. Also part of the 2006 swim team were Robbie Renwick, Kris Gilchrist and Andy Hunter who all won relay medals and will be looking to repeat their medal winning performances in Delhi.

Inverurie’s Hannah Miley made her Commonwealth Games debut in 2006 at just 16 years old, where she finished an impressive 4th in her favoured 400m individual medley. Hannah has gone from strength to strength since then and is now a force on the international swimming scene. She has broken numerous Scottish, British and Commonwealth records along the way, as well as the European record for both the 200m and 400m IM which had stood for over eight years. At 4:31.33 Hannah’s best 400m IM time is now a staggering 16.62 seconds faster than her final swim in Melbourne and she is currently world ranked number four in this event.

Kerry Buchan also made her Commonwealth debut in Melbourne and was a gold and silver medallist from the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Amongst the 14 rookies on the team Lewis Smith and Louise Pate were also medallists at the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games, whilst 17 year old Cameron Brodie put in an outstanding performance at the European Junior Championships in Helsinki earlier this month to qualify at the last meet of the qualification period. 2010 European Junior team mate Sara Hamilton has also been selected as part of the 4x100m freestyle relay team.

Beijing Paralympian, Sean Fraser will be Scotland’s sole representative in the Para- Sports events in the pool, whilst 27 year old Lauren Smith, based as part of the British programme in Aldershot, qualifies in the synchronised swimming – solo event.

Congratulating the team, Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome the 21 athletes to Team Scotland. The swimmers got us off to a fantastic start in Melbourne and I am sure this exciting combination of familiar and new faces can rise to the challenge and perform to their very best in Delhi. With their selection confirmed, I hope they can now focus over these next two months on their final preparations that will put them in the best possible shape for the Games.”

Jon Doig, Team Scotland Chef de Mission added: “All the swimmers can feel rightly proud that they have been named as part of Team Scotland. This is the first step to achieving their goals in Delhi and all the support staff look forward to ensuring they have every opportunity to excel at the Games.”

Scottish Swimming, Chief Executive Officer, Ashley Howard said: “Scottish Swimming is delighted for the athletes selected for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The team reflects a true blend of senior and youth swimmers – precisely the mixture we were aiming for as we take a long term view and prepare for success in Glasgow in 2014. We are confident we have selected a strong group of swimmers who are all up for the challenge of this major competition.

“Undoubtedly medals will be hard to come by, with the margins between those who win medals and those who don’t getting even smaller. Our overall target for Delhi is six medals, five in swimming and one from diving or synchro, which is a tall order at what will be a very challenging Games. However, we believe we have the right team in place with the best opportunity to deliver against our Delhi target and Scottish Swimming wishes the team well in their final preparations.”
Ally Whike, Scottish Swimming’s Director of Performance added: “We are very proud of the swimmers who have achieved selection for Team Scotland and we look forward to having everyone together in Doha for a holding camp in September prior to travelling onwards to Delhi. We are also delighted for the coaches who have played such a pivotal leadership role in supporting their athletes’ selection success.

Over the last 10 years, with investment from our key partner, sportscotland, we have been able to support a strong coaching pathway in Scotland. Our nation now boasts of 25 full time paid swimming coaches and is underpinned by a strong coach education and mentoring philosophy. It is our coaches and this coaching pathway which we believe will deliver sustained success for swimming in Scotland, with our long term sights set on success in Glasgow, 2014 and beyond.”

Eight of the Scottish swimmers selected today will soon head off to Budapest for the European Championships 4-15 August and will benefit from racing against some high level competition, the ideal warm-up for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Selections for diving are still to be confirmed and will be announced on 18 August 2010.

Athlete, Age, Lives, Events Qualified In

Kerry Buchan, 23, Edinburgh, 100m, 200m breaststroke, 4×100 medley relay

Lucy Ellis, 17, Dalgety Bay, 100m freestyle, 100 &200m freestyle relays

Megan Gilchrist , 20, Whitburn, 800m free, 4x200m freestyle relay

Sara Hamilton, 15, Stonehaven, 4x100m freestyle relay

Kathryn Johnstone, 20,Cowdenbeath, 50m breaststroke

Louise Pate, 21, Edinburgh, 4x100m medley relay

Caitlin McClatchey, 24, Loughborough, 200m freestyle, 100 &200m freestyle & medley relays

Hannah Miley, 20, Inverurie, 200m free, 200m breast, 200m & 400m IM, all three relays

Corrie Scott, 16, Strathaven, 50m breaststroke

Lauren Smith, 27, Aldershot, syncronised swimming – solo

Cameron Brodie, 17, Aberdeen, 200m butterfly

David Carry, 28, Stockport/Aberdeen, 200m & 400m freestyle, medley&200m freestyle relay,

Sean Fraser, 20, Edinburgh, Para Sport S8 100m freestyle

Kristopher Gilchrist, 26, Paris/Edinburgh,100m & 200m breaststroke, 4x100m medley relay

Andrew Hunter, 24, Stirling, 4x200m freestyle relay

Michael Jamieson, 22, Bath/Edinburgh, 100m & 200m breaststroke

Andrew Mayor, 24, Newcastle/Dumfries, 200m butterfly, 4x100m medley relay

Craig McNally, 17, Edinburgh, 4x100m medley relay

Robbie Renwick, 22,Glasgow/Aberdeen, 200m & 400m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay

Jak Scott, 19, Bo’ness, 4x200freestyle relay

Lewis Smith, 22, Stirling, 400m freestyle, 200m & 400m individual medley

N.B. All athletes are selected subject to ongoing form and fitness.