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