With under 50 days to go until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the full complement of swimmers and divers set to represent Team Scotland has been announced.

24 swimmers and seven divers are confirmed, including the pre-selected Duncan Scott and James Heatly.

Ross Murdoch, already with a full set of Commonwealth Games medals after gold and bronze at Glasgow 2014 and silver four years ago, will be looking to add to his tally. Fellow Gold Coast medallists Mark Szaranek and Stephen Milne also go in their third Games, while backstroker Craig McNally makes an impressive fourth appearance for Team Scotland. Lucy Hope and Cassie Wild-Richards will compete at their third and second Games respectively after making their Olympic debuts in Tokyo.

There are also a number of young talents making the team for the first time, with 13 of the 24 swimmers making their debut. Sixteen year old Sam Downie is the youngest athlete to date named to Team Scotland for Birmingham 2022.

In the para-swimming events Toni Shaw returns for a second Games full of confidence after bronze in the 400m Freestyle S9 at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Currently competing at the World Para-Swimming Championships in Portugal, she has already claimed bronze in the 100m Butterfly S9.

Having raced to the World title in the 100m Butterfly S12 just days ago, triple Paralympic medallist Stephen Clegg makes his Commonwealth debut. He joins sister Libby on Team Scotland for the Birmingham Games, who will make her para-cycling debut following athletics gold in the T12 100m at Glasgow 2014.

In Diving, three of the seven athletes return from Gold Coast 2018, with Grace Reid making a fourth Games appearance, having made her first at the age of just 13 at Delhi 2010. Her stunning gold in the 1m Springboard event at Gold Coast was the first ever diving medal for a Scottish female diver and Scotland’s first diving gold for 60 years. Reid, along with James Heatly, will compete later this month at the World Championships in Budapest.

Kara Hanlon said: “I couldn’t be more proud to represent the Western Isles on Team Scotland, and I think I will be the first swimmer to have made the team. So it’s a massive achievement for me and for them and I’ll see how far I can get.

“It’s nice to know that I grew up somewhere where there was may be less access to facilities and things, but I still made it to where I am today. Having missed out on selection for the Gold Coast by such a small margin, I think it makes it even sweeter.”

Archie Goodburn commented, “I’m super proud! It makes me think back to my first time representing Scotland at a junior level.

We were given this all blue tracksuit, and I just have this memory of trying it on in my room with my mum. Now it will be a much bigger version of that blue tracksuit. I just can’t wait to represent the flag with all the rest of the guys down in Birmingham”

Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a mix of experience and youth to Team Scotland with this exciting team of swimmers and divers.

“Aquatics is one of Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games sports and, with the new facility at Sandwell providing a great venue, I’m sure we can count on a fantastic atmosphere and tough competition in Birmingham.

“Congratulations to all athletes selected and we look forward to seeing them compete in under 50 days time.”

Ally Whike, Team Scotland Aquatics Team Leader said: “I’m delighted with the make up of the Aquatics Team selected to compete for Team Scotland in Birmingham.

“With 60% (of the team) competing at the Games for the first time, there is an excellent blend of newcomers and experienced campaigners. The competition in Birmingham will be world class and we know that the athletes are looking forward to the challenge and will be focusing on giving their best performance of the season when it counts”.

Swimming and para-swimming competition takes place from 29 July to 3 August and diving from 4 August to 8 August at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

SELECTED ATHLETES:

Swimming & Para-Swimming

Craig Benson

Tain Bruce

Oliver Carter

Stephen Clegg

Evie Davis

Sam Downie

Scott Gibson

Archie Goodburn

Kara Hanlon

Lucy Hope

Evan Jones

Abby Kane

Keanna MacInnes

Holly McGill

Craig McNally

Stephen Milne

Ross Murdoch

Emma  Russell

Duncan Scott

Katie Shanahan

Toni Shaw

Mark Szaranek

Martyn Walton

Cassie Wild-Richards

Diving

Ross Beattie

Cameron Gammage

James  Heatly

Clara Kerr

Gemma McArthur

Angus Menmuir

Grace Reid