Olympic Canoeist Stewart Pitt is convinced Scotland can become a force on the white water – but only if a new international standard facility is built.

The 41-year-old claimed a 12th place finish in the Men’s slalom C-2 competition at Atlanta 1996 with partner Craig Brown.

But Pitt is adamant that with better facilities Scotland’s new generation of canoeists – including 2004 and 2008 silver medallists Campbell Walsh and David Florence – can become world beaters.

He said: “It’s very frustrating that if people want to train at a decent facility they have to go to the national centre in Nottingham.

“People who live there are in the white water everyday but here we have to drive-up to the highlands or make do with canals which is far from ideal.

“We need a facility where kids can see potential Olympians walking about and for them to want to emulate them – if we can do that then we will get medals for Scotland and Great Britain."