Sixteen swimmers have been selected to represent Team GB at the Tbilisi 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF 2015) in Georgia as part of a 44-strong squad across five sports.
Britain’s swimmers make up the largest squad of athletes from a single sport for Team GB - and they will be joined in Tbilisi by 12 judoka, four tennis players, six cyclists and six artistic gymnasts.
With many athletes already working on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, EYOFs play a crucial role in the development of young British athletes and provide a multi-sport experience that helps them along the route to achieving their own Olympic dreams.
Speaking about his selection, Team GB swimmer Cameron Muir said: “It’s amazing to get the chance to represent Team GB. I think it’s just going to be the best experience of my life.
“It means so much to pull on the Team GB colours. I’ve represented Scotland before but this would be a step up for me.
“This has definitely been one of my best years in the pool. I’ve not really been doing too much different; it’s just been a case of working hard in training. I hope I can carry that on in Georgia.”
The swimming squad will be lead by National Centre, Bath coach Graeme Antwhistle. He said: “We have a young team and for some of them it will be their first experience of major international competition and I am delighted to share that experience with them and help them along.
“I know they will be looking to do the best they can because that is the type of athletes they are, but I also want them to enjoy it and take it all in.
“For some this is their first experience of competing abroad, let alone at an Olympic event, but the guys in Baku did really well and hopefully we can ride that wave that we have at the moment.”
Team GB will test themselves against Europe’s finest youth athletes as EYOF 2015 is set to welcome around 2,400 competitors from 50 nations for six days of action. The Festival will feature nine sports in total with athletics, basketball, handball and volleyball making up the programme in Georgia.
Team GB at Tbilisi, announced today by the British Olympic Association, will consist of 44 athletes all, aged between 13 and 17 years old, who will compete across five sports; cycling, gymnastics, judo,
The Festival follows on from the previous edition of EYOF two years ago at Utrecht 2013, which saw Team GB return home with 31 medals, including nine golds.
The Tbilisi 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF 2015) takes place from 26 July to 1 August. For more information visit www.tbilisi2015.com
Swimmers selected to compete in this year’s EYOF are:
Athlete Home Town Club
Kieran Bird - Bicester Bicester Blue Fins
Athena Clayson - Crosby Crosby SC
Elliot Clogg - Mansfield City of Sheffield
Annalea Davison - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Newcastle Swim Team
Jacob Greenow - Taunton Taunton Deane
Sophie Hobbah - Leeds City of Leeds
Caitlin Hubbard - Solihull Soulihull SC
Nathan Hughes - Beeston Hatfield SC
Emily Large - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Newcastle Swim Team
Scott McLay - Perth Perth City
Cameron Muir – Kilmarnock South Ayrshire
Jamie O'Connor - Margate Thanet
Katie Robertson - Ayr South Ayrshire
Ellinor Southward - Ellesmere Ellesmere College Titans
Rebecca Sutton – Bridgend Bridgend County Swim Squad
Brodie Williams - Street Millfield School