Robyn Matthews is one of Scotland’s young swimmers who had to rethink her plans when the City of Edinburgh programme was disbanded at the end of August.

But the 17-year-old, who is firmly focused on the London 2012 Olympic Games, is now happily settled at the new Intensive Training Centre in Swansea and is ready to face her first competition under the new regime. 

“We’re flying to California on Boxing Day for a month. We’ll be at a training camp and then take part in a meet in Long Beach at the end of January,” said Robyn.

The Edinburgh teenager is now coached by Bud McAllister, the renowned American who steered Janet Evans to three Olympic titles in Seoul, 1988.

“It’s been quite stressful settling down in a new place and with a new coach,” continued Robyn. “But it’s a squad of eight swimmers and they are all about my age, which is really nice. 

“It’s been good to star something new and fresh and Bud is a great coach.  I’m now doing breaststroke as well as distance freestyle.”

Robyn was disappointed to miss her sixth and final year at George Watson’s College – but she has applied to start a degree in geography at Swansea University in the autumn.