Michael Scott Reups as National Performance Director for British Swimming Through 2016

LOUGHBOROUGH, Great Britain, April 6. BRITISH Swimming has announced that National Performance Director Michael Scott will continue in his role for another four years from London 2012 through to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Scott, who joined British Swimming in 2007, led Britain's successful swimmers to the Beijing 2008 Olympics and will assume the same role this summer at the 2012 Games.

Michael Scott said: “While our immediate focus is on the challenges and opportunities of the home Olympic Games, I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to continue to work with British Swimming over the next four years as we strive to continue our good performances on the Commonwealth, World and Olympic stages.

“The journey doesn't end in London and there is still a lot of work to be done as we look beyond to Rio de Janeiro. It's an exciting time for British Swimming with a new generation of talent on the horizon and I'm looking forward to helping to nurture and develop this pool for the future.”

During his time with British Swimming, Scott has introduced the British Gas Intensive Training Centre network across five 50m pools within Britain which now produces the vast majority of national teams.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said: “Scott has transformed British Swimming since he arrived in 2007 and we now have more talent in depth than at any time in our history.

“The Olympic Team in London already boasts 50% of the athletes as first time Olympians and with the depth of talent we have now emerging in the sport we can only improve as we move towards 2016 after London.”

British Swimming Head Coach Dennis Pursley will return to his native U.S. following the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Pursley has decided to return to the U.S. for family reasons but until that time is fully committed to the best possible Olympic outcome and result for Britain's swimmers.

Pursley said: “I will be forever grateful to British Swimming for the opportunity to that was presented to me during the past four years. It has been a genuine pleasure to work for this world class organisation.

“I have been privileged to have been associated with many exceptional organizations and people in my professional career, but none more so than the athletes, coaches and staff of British Swimming.

“Although I am not looking past the Olympics today, family commitments will require that I return to the U.S. after the Games. I will do so with many fond memories of my British tenure and with the assurance that a bright future is on the horizon for British Swimming.”

The process of identifying a suitable person to assume the coaching leadership role going forward will be undertaken by British Swimming soon.

Scott said: “Dennis has done and will continue to do a tremendous job in Britain and has been instrumental in helping British Swimming to deliver world class swimmers and international medallists.

“Dennis has been here in Britain while his family has been at home in the U.S. This would be a challenge for anyone but Dennis's commitment to the team and London has never wavered. Following the 2012 Games Dennis will return to his family.

“He's been an important part of the team that has brought about significant change in British Swimming. He's made an immense contribution and we're pleased with the legacy he leaves behind as we look beyond London 2012 to Rio 2016.”

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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