University of Stirling swimmers wowed crowds at this year’s LEN European Aquatics Championships in London, bringing home a bag of medals.
Ross Murdoch, Craig Benson, Robbie Renwick and Duncan Scott all represented the University and Team GB in the former Olympic pool, taking on the best swimmers in Europe.
Seasoned competitor Ross Murdoch managed a medal hat-trick across the week, winning a medal in each of his breaststroke events. Ross took gold in the 200m, silver in the 100m and bronze in 50m event.
Speaking after receiving his third medal of the competition, Ross said: “That was my 9th race of the week and I’m delighted with how my body has held up. To come away with a medal in my weakest event is also great.”
“The crowd here are second to none and what a way to inspire the next generation by performing well in front of a home crowd. It’s been amazing.”
In the relay it was a golden finish for first-year student Duncan Scott who with the help of GB teammates James Guy, Christopher Walker-Hebborn and Adam Peaty stormed home to victory in the 4x100m medley.
The team finished almost two seconds ahead of silver medallists France. Ross Murdoch and Robbie Renwick also picked up gold medals having helped Britain to the final.
Team GB continued to dominate in the relay events and it was gold again for Duncan, this time joined by fellow Stirling competitor Craig Benson in the mixed medley relay.
Ben Higson, head performance swimming coach at the University of Stirling, said: “It’s been another successful week for the Stirling swimmers, with all of our athletes putting in fantastic performances across the board.
“It’s a tough competition, with so many events raced to such a high standard but our swimmers showed their resilience and determination. It’s great to take so many medals home to Stirling - these will keep us motivated for the Olympic challenge that lies ahead.”
This latest string of winning results from the University of Stirling comes just months after the four swimmers were selected to compete at the Rio Olympics this summer.
Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence - was the first Scottish university to offer swimming scholarships and many swimmers now also receive support from national sports scholarships Winning Students, enabling them to combine their training with study for an academic degree.
Media enquiries to Corrie Campbell, Communications Officer on 01786 466 169 or c.r.campbell@stir.ac.uk.
Notes for editors
- Background information
To find out more about the University of Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme in swimming visit www.stir.ac.uk/sport/scholarships/swimming
Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence
The Scottish Government designated the University of Stirling as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence in 2008. Our mission is to deliver the best for Scottish sport through the powerful and inspirational combination of sport and education. We are at the heart of Scottish sport, preparing athletes to perform on the world stage, enabling students to develop their skill sets for excellent careers and producing innovative research to improve the health of the nation. Our sport-centred campus brings together the people shaping Scottish sport, creating a critical mass of sporting expertise and excellence.
Find out more at: www.stir.ac.uk/sport-at-stirling