Tuesday, March 19, 2024
NewsFormer Olympic swimmer's business venture almost ruined by pandemic

Former Olympic swimmer’s business venture almost ruined by pandemic

A RETIRED Olympic swimmer is creating new venues for his swim academy with additional financial help after the pandemic.

Michael Jamieson, 33 from Glasgow retired from professional swimming in 2016 to open the Michael Jamieson Swim Academy (MJSA).

Before the Covid-19 pandemic started his swim academy was growing steadily with a pool of 24 full-time and part-time qualified instructors and regular teaching sessions at swim venues in Clydebank, Hamilton and Glasgow.

michael Jamieson - scottish news
Photo by MJSA. Jamie represented Great Britain at the Olympics, FINA world championships and European championships, and Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.

Michael has now been able to get his academy back on track after the pandemic because of the financial and business guidance he has received from his professional advisers at Russell & Russell.

Mr Jamieson said: “Having transitioned out of competitive sport, I am able to pinpoint key areas in my swim journey that helped me to progress and excel.

I am passionate about providing a learning environment to develop curious, self-aware, responsible young people through the sport of swimming.”

Michael Jamieson - scottish news
Photo by MJSA. Jamieson won the silver medal in the men’s 200m breaststroke at the 2012 Summer Olympics

At its peak in early 2020, the academy was instructing up to 800 children and young people every week, with estimates this would rise to 1200 or even 1300 within a relatively short timescale.

Hamilton College pool will re-open on Monday, 6 September while new venues, at Edinburgh University pool will open on Saturday, 18 September, Novotel Hermiston Gate pool on Thursday, 23 September and Argyle Hotel, Glasgow pool on Friday, 1 October.

Stuart Clark Key Adviser at Russell & Russell said: “Every parent wants their child to be able to swim, so market demand is consistent and growing. We believe firmly in Michael’s ability to become a major player in the market and to build the high-profile business it deserves to be.”

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