Swimming: Edinburgh’s new Olympians determined to make splash

Edinburgh has recently welcomed two new Olympic swimmers and both will be competing at the Royal Commonwealth Pool over the weekend in the Scottish Gas National Short Course Championships.

Scot Caitlin McClatchey has joined Edinburgh University and her fellow Olympian, England’s Keri-Anne Payne, is training with Warrender.

Payne married Scottish Olympian, David Carry, in September and he is now working for Red Sky management in Edinburgh. An Open Water World Champion, Payne is a firm favourite to win the 800m freestyle.

McClatchey’s parents, John and Louise, were with Warrender and both swam for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in the 1970s. Her uncle Alan was an Olympic bronze medallist in Montreal in 1976.

“I’ve got such strong links with Edinburgh and have always wanted to follow in my parents’ footsteps and study at the University,” explained the three-time Olympian. “I completed my degree at Loughborough University and, next month, I’m hoping to start a Masters in Performance Psychology.

“Mum and Dad now live in Inverness but I’m loving being in Edinburgh. I started training with the University swimming Club last week and the coach, Chris Jones, has been great.

“The swimmers have also been very welcoming and it is a very talented and committed squad.”

McClatchey was a double Commonwealth Games Champion in the 400m and 200m freestyle at Melbourne 2006 – and she is already looking forward to the 2014 version in Glasgow.

“Having experienced a home crowd at this year’s Olympics, I can’t wait to experience it again in Glasgow,” she said.