By Emily Goddard

The Tollcross International Swimming Centre will host the 2013 Duel in the PoolSeptember 18 - This year's Duel in the Pool will take place at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the host venue for the swimming events at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, on December 20-21, British Swimming announced today.

The biennial USA Swimming competition, which this year will be co-hosted by British Swimming, Glasgow Life on behalf of Glasgow City Council and EventScotland, will give home athletes the chance to put the finishing touches on their performances ahead of next year's Games as they face the world's number one swimming nation, and winners of the last two Duel in the Pools, the United States.

British swimmers will lead a team of European All-Stars, including Olympic and world silver medallist Michael Jamieson of Glasgow, who is looking forward to performing in front of the home crowd at what will also be the host venue for the 2015 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming European Championships.

"I watched Duel in the Pool four years ago when it was in Manchester and it looked like a great event so I'm thrilled to be part of the team this time around," said the 25-year-old.

"For me it will be special as it's being held in my home town of Glasgow and it will be a great opportunity to try the newly refurbished pool ahead of the Commonwealth Games next year.

"There's no doubt it will be a very tough event as the USA are the strongest nation in world swimming but with an impressive European team and with the backing of a passionate home crowd behind us we hope to push them all the way."

Michael Jamieson is looking forward to competing in his home town at the 2013 Duel in the PoolMichael Jamieson is looking forward to competing in his home town at the
2013 Duel in the Pool


Both teams will include up to 22 men and 22 women each for the short course competition and although the full squads have yet to be named Olympic medallists, such as America's Ryan Lochte - who was part of the 2011 team alongside the likes of Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin and Dana Vollmer, are likely to feature in the line up.

The European team from that year included London 2012 medallists Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands, France's Camille Muffat and László Cseh of Hungary.

"We are delighted to welcome some of the world's greatest athletes to Glasgow to again see the best swimmers in Europe compete against the greatest swimming nation in the world, the USA," British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes said.

"We look forward to seeing some great swimming with the potential for world records in what we anticipate will be one of the fastest pools in the world."

USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus added that he is looking forward to "an extremely competitive meet" as it goes to Scotland for the first time in its history.

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