The group of 139 athletes that make up the Target Squad will come together for the first time this weekend in Nottingham to start a process that will see them undergo a comprehensive development and nurturing process in readiness for the London Olympics.

 

British Swimming will offer support to the identified group in terms of coaching advice, sport science education and training opportunities to ensure swimmers are at the peak of their development in the summer of 2012.

 

It is expected that swimmers identified for the Target Squad will progress through the British Swimming World Class Pathway of World Class Development and World Class Podium programmes as they continue to develop and progress.

 

The end result for British Swimming and the nation as a whole will be the best possible result at the 2012 Games as well as a succession of role models to support a legacy programme designed to keep Britain in the highest echelons of swimming for Olympics of the future.

 

The programme will be lead by British Swimming director of World Class Programmes John Atkinson who helped to devise the selection process for the Target Squad.

 

He said: "Originally we identified the top six performers in every Olympic event in the age groups we were targeting.

 

"We looked carefully at performances, ensured athletes were advancing within their event and attached results from international competitions to chart their progression.

 

"This criteria is based on times needed for international events throughout a swimmer's development.

 

"We set these out and looked at who has regularly reached these markers for their particular age group and which athletes are improving all the time.

 

"It's a fantastic opportunity for these athletes and I'm certainly looking forward to leading the group.

 

"It's a collection of some of the most exciting swimming talent I've seen, together with a selection of
 coaches that are continually delivering world class swimmers."

 

Athletes, parents and coaches will be introduced as the Target Squad at the East Midlands Conference Centre on Saturday where they will hear from British Swimming Acting NPD Michael Scott as well as representatives from UK Sport and the British Olympic Association.

 

Olympic medallists David Davies (2004), Graeme Smith (1996) and Paul Palmer (1996) will address swimmers to talk about their experiences of the Games, while athletes James Goddard and Cassie Patten will give an insight to what it is like to compete on the international circuit.

 

The Target Squad will also hear how sports science can improve performance while parents and coaches will listen to various presentation including nutrition for elite swimmers and the vital role this has to play.

 

Atkinson said: "The journey for athletes to get to the 2012 Olympics will involve a team approach from parents, the coach, the club and British Swimming.

 

"By involving everyone from the outset we'll ensure the team is working together towards that all-important goal.

 

"The swimmers selected come from 66 different programmes and are coached by 70 different coaches.

 

"These large numbers involved will have massive benefits not only on the 139 swimmers but also on the hundreds of other swimmers in those club programmes affected."

 

Due to a swimmer's lengthy development process, in contrast to other Olympic sports, British Swimming has been aware that those athletes who will thrive within the 2012 host nation arena are already within the system and have now carefully identified a group that is best suited to
deliver in London.

 

Each year the squad will undergo a review process where swimmers have the ability to be added while others will be released from the scheme.

 

Atkinson said: "The process will evolve and the talent and confirmation area of the World Class pathway will be looked at by British Swimming.

 

"This along with the age group, youth and development programmes in the Home Countries will all play their part in targeting swimmers toward the London 2012 Olympics

 

"We want to capitalise on the home Olympics by providing opportunities for both the coach and swimmer.

 

"It's about putting the best athletes with the best coaches and providing them with the best support and opportunities.

 

"That's the essence of the programme.

 

"It's a group of swimmers that British Swimming is excited about and highlights the good work in developing young talent that has taken place within the sport since 2001."

 

Swimmers, who will attend identified camps, will be set tough standards to achieve in progressing with the Target Squad and these tangible markers will be their focus until their emphasis and gaze shifts to medal possibilities.

 

British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes is pleased to see progress being made in identifying and preparing a group of swimmers who will have an entire nation behind them in 2012.

 

He said: "The early identification of athletes who could form part of the team in 2012 demonstrates British Swimming's commitment to achieving medal success in London and endeavouring to get our athletes through to as many finals as possible.

 

"We've started early to give ourselves the best possible chance of success.

 

"It will involve a great deal of effort from a great number of people and no doubt our results will reflect that."