Swimming: Athletes back on track thanks to University facilities

Swimming in the Capital was struck a huge blow after the 2008 Olympic Games when the Royal Commonwealth Pool closed for refurbishment and the City of Edinburgh scheme was shut down.

It meant that high-profile swimmers such as Kris Gilchrist and Michael Jamieson had to find pastures new - and world championship medallist Kirsty Balfour, a two-time Olympian, was pretty well forced to retire.

But the City scheme's assistant coach, Chris Jones, was determined that Edinburgh should remain on the international map. Two years on, he is now the head coach of a high- powered Edinburgh University scheme and the reward for his drive and enthusiasm is that five of the club's members have been selected to line up for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Gilchrist and Jamieson, who are now based in Paris and Bath respectively, are attached to the University Club and join Jones for training sessions whenever they are home in Scotland.

Delhi-bound Kerry Buchan, Louise Pate and Kathryn Johnstone are all full-timers with the varsity squad.

The squad has access to the latest hi-tech equipment - including a new state-of-the-art gym that was opened last month.

The swimmers train at the St Leonard's pool where there are underwater video cameras and an aquatic research department.

"Everything we need is on hand," said Jones.