Scottish Swimming has received a £818,000 grant from the Scottish Government.

The funding will be distributed throughout all levels of the sport, from grassroots to performance, and is part of the sport body’s plan to improve access to quality coaching and swimming programmes for all.

Speaking at the British Swimming Championships in Sheffield, Stewart Harris, Sportscotland’s chief executive, pointed out that Scottish swimmers currently make up 29 per cent of the British Olympic team qualified for Beijing.

“Swimming is one of Scotland’s biggest success stories and it is fantastic to see so many of our swimmers competing at the highest level,” he said.

“Their achievements will do much to inspire the next generation of Scottish swimmers and the funding announced today will ensure that the development programmes are in place to allow them to develop their potential, whatever their abilities.”