Olympic swimmers to train in Edinburgh

GREAT Britain's swimmers will undertake their final preparations for the 2012 Olympics in Edinburgh after the Scottish city was chosen in principle to host a team camp.

The team will utilise the Royal Commonwealth Pool, which is currently undergoing a 37.1 million refurbishment, where they will put the finishing touches to their four-year cycle.

The facility, which is due to open in early 2012, will offer a 50-metre pool, two 25m pools, a dry land training area, a gym and will also accommodate sport science and sport medicine services for athletes.

The final partnership agreement is currently being worked out with the City of Edinburgh Council, with British Swimming national performance director Michael Scott instrumental in partnership discussions.

He believes it will offer the most suitable environment to add the finishing touches to the team's four-year plan.

"We've done an exhaustive search to identify the best possible environment for our camp," said Scott.

"We looked at options both UK-based and overseas, and have chosen Edinburgh as the city to host one of the most important camps in the history of the sport.

"The City of Edinburgh Council will provide the team with the necessary access to a world-class aquatic facility at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and the historic city lends itself to having a relaxed, low-key training camp at a very high-pressure time."