Eight swimmers from the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – are going through their final preparations ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris, which begin this week.
The group – made up of seven British swimmers and one Zimbabwean – received a warm send off as they left campus bound for Paris La Défense Arena, where swimming gets under way on Saturday.
Olympic champions Duncan Scott and Kathleen Dawson will again represent Great Britain at the Games, alongside Stirling stablemates Lucy Hope, Jack McMillan, Keanna Macinnes, Katie Shanahan and Angharad Evans. Paige van der Westhuizen, also on the high-performance swim programme at Stirling, will compete for Zimbabwe.
It is the largest contingent of Stirling swimmers to compete at an Olympics and they will be joined in Paris by the University’s Head Performance Swim Coach and Aquatics GB coach, Steve Tigg. Martyn Walton, who also coaches on the Stirling programme, and Alan Rankin, physiotherapist to the University’s athletes, have also been selected to support Great Britain at the Paralympics in August.
In recent weeks, the swimmers have been going through the final stages of preparation for the Games – finessing their performance in the pool; attending team kit out day; and participating in a host of media activity, including a visit from ex-sprinter turned broadcaster Jeanette Kwakye MBE for a feature which broadcast on BBC One’s The One Show on Monday 22 July.
Achievement
David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, was among those to wish the swimmers well as they set off on their journey. He said: “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.
“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 under way later this week – and wish them all the best in their events.”
Six athletes from the University – five swimmers and one judoka – competed at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021. Duncan Scott won a record-breaking four medals – one gold and three silver – at the Games, with Kathleen Dawson also winning gold in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay.
Kathleen – who has experienced injury issues with her back since winning gold in Tokyo – is “over the moon” to be Paris bound this week, after spending the past two years getting herself back to competitive fitness.
“It was very touch and go whether I’d be on this team,” she said. “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.”
Paige van der Westhuizen, who is going into her third year studying Law, said: “It’s an honour to be representing Zimbabwe at the coming Olympic Games. I’m excited as it’s been a dream of mine for so long – I’m looking forward to saying that I’ve been to the Olympics.”
Katie Shanahan, who has just completed her second year studying Journalism and Sports Studies, reflected on her selection: “It’s amazing; there’s seven of us representing Team GB – the most Stirling has ever had.
“I’m really lucky to train with these guys everyday – and they all deserve the best because I know how hard they work. It’s so nice we are going out as a group together – I hope we all swim well.”
Angharad Evans, who has just finished first year studying Business Studies and Management, said: “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.
“It’s been a lot easier than I thought it was going to be – starting university and a new swim programme and achieving results both academically and athletically.”
Seven athletes from the University of Stirling will represent Team GB (L-R): Kathleen Dawson, Keanna Macinnes, Jack McMillan, Lucy Hope, Duncan Scott, Angharad Evans and Katie Shanahan.
Duncan Scott - who has six medals in his collection from two previous Olympics - said: "I'm still in love with the sport - I really enjoy what I do. There are so many things that I know that I can improve on and get better in; I'm still as hungry as I was [at previous Games]."
Meanwhile, Stirling graduate Charlotte Henshaw has also been selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in para-canoe. During her time at Stirling, Charlotte was a para-swimmer before switching to para-canoe. It will be her fifth Paralympic Games.
Stirling’s high-performance swim programme offers world-class coaching, training, competition and funding support, as well as access to world-class facilities and academic flexibility.
Steve Tigg is supported by coaches Bradley Hay, Josh Williamson and Martyn Walton.
Paris will host the Olympics from 26 July to 11 August, and the Paralympics from 28 August – 8 September.