Beijing Olympic open water silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne and para-swimming European silver medallist Scott Quin are predicting another great summer of sporting action in Scotland ahead of the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow from 13-19 July.
Former double open water world champion Payne trains with Quin in Edinburgh, and will be aiming for World Championship gold this year alongside the leading swimmers with learning and physical disabilities.
The GBR Para-Swimming Team is likely to include four-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds and seven-time European champion Stephanie Slater as well as stars of the s14 class (for athletes with intellectual disabilities) such as Jessica-Jane Applegate and Quin.
Payne said: “It’s fantastic that the IPC Swimming World Championships are coming to Glasgow this summer.
“After the huge success of Glasgow 2014 it’s great that people will get another opportunity to see world-class swimming in Scotland and I hope they’ll turn out to support the GB team.
“I’ll be cheering on Scott as he aims for his first World Championships medal this year.”
Quin won his first international medal in the 100m breaststroke SB14 at the IPC Swimming European Championships in 2014, and is aiming to make his mark on the world stage in Glasgow.
He said: “The IPC Swimming World Championships will allow me to test myself against the best swimmers in the world and will be a great way for me to measure where I am with a year to go until Rio.
“Training with Keri-anne will definitely help me prepare for the IPC Swimming World Championships. She is a double world champion and an Olympic medallist and I’m learning a lot from her.”
This Friday [13 February], marks 150 days to go until the IPC Swimming World Championships, which will take place at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre, from 13-19 July.
Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham, added: “The countdown to the IPC Swimming World Championships is well and truly underway with the world’s best para-swimmers set to take to the pool in Tollcross in just 150 days.
“The IPC Swimming World Championships is the biggest para-swimming event outside of the Paralympic Games and brings together 650 of the best, and most inspirational, swimmers for what will be a week-long celebration of world-class sport.
“London 2012 was the benchmark in terms of para-sport but just six months after delivering the best ever Commonwealth Games, Glasgow is fully focussed on hosting an IPC Swimming World Championships to remember.”
The meet will see 650 swimmers from 50 countries in action across the seven days of competition – to find out more and book tickets visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Glasgow2015.
