OLYMPIC silver medallist Michael Jamieson has backed Swindon’s Grant Turner to establish himself as one Great Britain’s top sprinters during 2013.

The former Swindon Tigersharks man enjoyed a decent 2012, with the highlight being a swim which produced the standout leg in Britain’s 4x100m freestyle relay effort at the London Olympics.

Jamieson himself won silver in the 200-metre breaststroke at the Games, but with thoughts quickly turning to next summer’s World Championships in Barcelona the Scot believes Turner could make a real impact during 2013.

“It was great to see Grant go well and he was on some great form during 2012 and made some huge improvements,” he said.

“I know him well and he is a really good lad, and I am sure he is going to be a top sprinter in the country for many years to come.

“The form he was in at the Olympics meant he would have swam the individual really well and done the country proud, and he got a few lifetime bests too so I am sure he will keep it rolling.

“He has had a huge boost of confidence by being at the Games, and I am sure he will be looking to step up on that during 2013.

“He is going to be in the mix at the World Championships in the summer for sure, and then also for another Olympic Games in four years time which is great for him.”

The pair know each other well having trained together over the last few years and lived together during the Olympics, allowing Jamieson to see Turner’s dedication first-hand. “We have quite often been in each other’s groups over the last few years, and at the Olympics we shared an apartment together which was a good experience,” he said.

“We were in the room next door to each other for two weeks during the Games so we spent a fair bit of time together.

“His physique is superb because he is a really strong guy and has the height as well, and he is built perfectly to be a swimmer.

“His attitude is spot on and he wants to put the work in and enjoy it, and that is a major part of the battle.”

For Jamieson and so many of the country’s other sporting stars 2012 is a year he will never forget, but he is determined to continue to push to ensure he improves on the silver he picked up in London.

“From the experience itself to the performance I managed to put in, it was everything I would have wanted it to be,” he said.

“It was well worth the journey which took a number of years, and I got the result I wanted, although the challenge for me is to make sure that a silver medal is not the highlight of my career. “I want to go on and try to win more medals, and that is what I am focusing on now.”