Businessman splashes out on swimmers

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 23:00

A BUSINESSMAN is providing funding to 15 Olympic hopefuls, including Scottish swimmers Hannah Miley and Caitlin McClatchey, in the build-up to the London Games and beyond.

Barrie Wells has also set up a sports foundation which will allocate grants of between 500 and 2000 to clubs to encourage grassroots projects, with world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis acting as patron.

Wells personally chose each of the athletes after working with governing bodies to identify the individuals, and he then interviewed the selected athletes. Each of those chosen will receive up to 8,000 a year in return for their presence three times a year to visit schools and clubs to support the foundation.

Wells said: "I sold a company for a lot of money. You wonder what to do with the money: do you buy houses abroad, boats and things and I thought 'well no, I absolutely love sport'".