Michael Jamieson ready for ‘Ryder Cup of swimming’

Scottish swimmer Michael Jamieson insists a recent health scare is not playing on his mind as he prepares for this weekend’s Duel in the Pool event at Tollcross in Glasgow.

Michael Jamieson says he feels back to normal and is relishing the Duel in the Pool. Picture: Getty

The 25-year-old’s heartbeat became irregular during a high effort training session last month but he says he is “back to business” after claiming silver in the 200m breaststroke at the European Short Course Championships in Denmark.

Next up is the event that has been billed as the Ryder Cup of swimming in Jamieson’s home city and he has declared himself fit and ready to go.

Reflecting on the incident, he said: “Overall I was pretty relaxed and calm. At the same time, there are doubts in the back of your head, thinking ‘I’m 25 and this shouldn’t happen’.

“It was a one-off. It has been stressed by the medical team that it really was just because I was pushing too hard. It’s not been playing on my mind.

“As soon as I woke up from the treatment I felt back to normal and I only missed two or three days’ training so it didn’t really affect my preparation for last week. I’ve been back to normal for two or three weeks now. I got a medal at the Europeans last week and it was a reminder it’s all back to business.”

He added: “It sounds more dramatic than it was. I didn’t feel really ill or sick, I was just aware that something wasn’t right.

“I didn’t have [the heart] stopped. They slow it down so they can see the peaks and troughs of your heartbeat and then at a certain point they give you a jolt and it goes back into a regular rhythm. After that, I was back to normal really.”

Jamieson will be a member of a European Allstars team aiming for success against Team USA at Tollcross swimming centre, the venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games swimming events.

The Olympic silver medallist said: “It will be a taster of what’s coming in the summer.

“Everyone at this meet is in different places. Some guys have rested and the Americans have just come in from long-haul flights. I raced well at the Europeans last week and I am in good shape. I would love to win faster than I did last week and post another best time.

“This is my first Duel in the Pool and I’m excited to be involved. I was disappointed I didn’t get selected for the last edition a few years ago, so it’s good to be in the team.”