Commonwealth Games places are up for grabs in Glasgow this week

By Katie Still

Scotland's best swimmers will battle it out in Glasgow's Tollcross Pool this week for a place in the Commonwealth Games team.

It's the Scottish National Championships, also serving as trials for a place in Delhi.

Athletes and coaches have been busy making final preparations to ensure they are at their competitive best to meet the qualification standard.

You may remember that at the last Games in Melbourne four years ago, Scotland's swimmers came home as heroes after winning an incredible 12 medals - a tally never before reached and one that bettered that of all other sports in Team Scotland.

So this year's team has much to live up to.

Scottish national coach Doug Campbell believes there will be a good mix of experience and fresh talent in the team.

Thirteen swimmers have already gained the qualification standard. However, they must do so again here to be selected.

And Campbell predicts that a team of about 20 should qualify.

The coach has on many occasions warned of keeping expectations in check, as a medal haul of 12 is going to be very hard to equal. He believes a target of about six medals in India is more realistic.

Scottish swimming certainly pierced the consciousness of the public back in 2006 with performances way beyond any expectation.

Caitlin McClatchey will be aiming to secure a medal in Delhi

Caitlin McClatchey, David Carrie, Kirsty Balfour and Gregor Tait - sadly Balfour and Tait are no longer competing - all emerged from the Australian waters with medals round their necks.

Hannah Miley is a name most have now heard of - she was in Melbourne but as a wide-eyed rookie.

Since then she has won a European medal, broken European and British records by the tonne and risen to the world number one ranked woman in the 400m.

This time round she will be the backbone of the Scottish team.

New names to be aware of are Douglas Scott - a double gold medal-winner from the Commonwealth Youth Games and Lucy Ellis - now training with the GB squad.

So, Tollcross pool in Glasgow will play host to some great competition this week, not to mention the draw of other big names in attendance; Jo Jackson and the double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington.

This event is useful practise for them - their Commonwealth Games trials were a few weeks ago at the British Nationals - as it follows the Commonwealth programme of races.

And what a great buzz for all the younger Scottish swimmers, diving in to the pool to race against Olympic, European and British Champions.

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