Jamie Graham gets in the swim
Ageed just 16, he scooped the Scottish
national championship for the 100-metres
breaststroke on Saturday — and now has
his eye on an unusual double.
Already the teenager has one eye on a
Commonwealth Games berth in 2014 —
but before then he's hoping to take the
British youth championship with his City
of Glasgow team and the French championship
with his continental club —
Colomiers.
They rate him so highly the club pays
for Jamie to return to France and swim
for them.
The in-demand sportsman told The
Extra: "I travel back to France every couple
of months to see my old coach and
compete in a few competitions for my old
club.
"It was a big change coming from the
small club there to training with the
Glasgow team, but it is definitely helping
my swimming I think, and I've felt settled
since Christmas".
After spending six years dans la piscine
in Toulouse where his Dad was working in
the aviation industry, Jamie earned the
south-west France record for breaststroke
and numerous other regional awards.
But on this side of La Manche at the
weekend, a time of one minute and 2.54
seconds was enough for the teenager to
see off competitors and secure three podium
places for breaststroke — gold for
100m, silver over 200m and a bronze for
the four by 50m.
Jamie said: "I was ranked third in my
age group through the whole of France
but to win this competition against the
best swimmers in Scotland is my biggest
achievement yet.
"I've definitely got an eye on the
Olympics in 2016 and when the
Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow.
I'll have a go for 2012 but it might be a little
too soon".
A pupil at the southside Glasgow school
of sport at Bellahouston, he trains
between studying for three Highers, as
well as joining his club mates in the City
of Glasgow swimming club — another
reason for crossing the English Channel
said dad Mike.
"The club is a really highly-regarded
one, and he's getting some excellent
coaching.
"Jamie's place at the school of sport
and the coaching he receives there was
another really important factor when
moving over from France, but we're all
really proud of his achievements and long
may it continue".
ends