Edinburgh will host Great Britain's 2012 swimming team

Britain's swimmers will undertake final preparations for the 2012 Olympics in Edinburgh after it was chosen in principle to host a team camp.

The team will utilise the Royal Commonwealth Pool, which is currently undergoing a £37.1m refurbishment.

British Swimming national performance director Michael Scott thinks it offers the best way to finalise preparations.

"We've done an exhaustive search to identify the best possible environment for our camp," he said.

The facility, which is due to open in early 2012, will offer a 50m pool, two 25m pools, a dry land training area and a gym.

It will also accommodate sport science and sport medicine services for athletes.

Swimming will be a major focus of attention in 2012 Event Scotland chief operating officer Paul Bush

A final partnership agreement is currently being worked out with the City of Edinburgh Council and Scott is instrumental in partnership discussions.

"We looked at options both UK-based and overseas and have chosen Edinburgh as the city to host one of the most important camps in the history of the sport," he said.

"The City of Edinburgh Council will provide the team with the necessary access to a world-class aquatic facility at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and the historic city lends itself to having a relaxed, low-key training camp at a very high-pressure time."

Event Scotland's chief operating officer, Paul Bush, said the training camp's use of Edinburgh was a "real coup" for the city and Scotland.

"Swimming will be a major focus of attention in 2012 and the new facilities at the Royal Commonwealth Pool will provide the perfect location for the British Swimming team's preparations," he said.

"I am also excited by the new developments to the pool, which will provide another world-class facility to host major events in Scotland in the future."

Councillor Deidre Brock, the city's culture and leisure convenor, said it justified the investment being put into the facility.

"From our residents' perspective, the arrival of some of the world's top swimming stars at that important time will inspire lots more people to get and stay active," she said.

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