These are the athletes which the governing body has identified as potential finalists or medallists for the games in Glasgow in 2014 and beyond, and the ones who have been selected to receive funding and expert support from the sportscotland Institute of Sport during 2012.
The list includes 23 men and 18 women and has a definite focus on youth, with 14 teenagers among the group. The youngest member of the party is 16-year-old Kimberley Reed, a hammer thrower from Edinburgh who was one of four selected from the successful Commonwealth Youth Games squad in the Isle of Man in September, with the most experienced member of the squad being 33-year-old Lee McConnell, who has a clutch of medals and final appearances to her name from Commonwealth, European and world events and hopes to compete in the 400m and relay at the 2012 London Olympics.
Eight of the athletes also receive funding at UK level. McConnell and Steph Twell receive Podium Support; Eilidh Child, Eilish McColgan and Lynsey Sharp are on the Development programme; and James Campbell, Nick Percy and Kimberley Reed are on the Futures Programme. Eight of the athletes are currently based in North America, including steeplechaser Lennie Waite, 25, who is in Texas and started out on a soccer scholarship in the States.
Omitted from the squad, though, is the hurdler Chris Baillie, who is training independently in Glasgow after being dropped from hurdling guru Malcolm Arnold's group of funded competitors.
"We're delighted to confirm publicly the athletes who will receive our backing over the coming year," said Nigel Holl, chief executive of scottishathletics. "We know there is great talent and some of the squad will have aspirations for London 2012 before even starting the countdown towards Glasgow. But, with so many teenagers involved, we are also looking into the future. The performances at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man demonstrated some of the burgeoning ability in our young athletes.
"It is clear that all the athletes identified retain the ambition to achieve performances that mean they are selected by UK Athletics for support on the World Class Performance Programme, and we are optimistic and ambitious that future UK teams will have a strong and increasing Scottish representation. The 41 people we back receive support from the sportscotland Institute of Sport and we are grateful for that partnership.
"Being included opens the door to many expert services we know can help each athlete improve his or her personal standards. And we don't and won't forget the personal coaches of the athletes. They are central to the equation as well, and scottishathletics is committed to meeting with and supporting our coaches – they can and will achieve on the world stage, as well."
SQUAD
Chris Bennett, Hammer (Victoria Park City of Glasgow)
David Bishop, 1500m (Bristol & West AC)
Cameron Boyek, 1500m (Shildon)
James Campbell, Javelin (Cheltenham Harriers)
John Carr, Long jump (Shaftesbury Barnet)
Eilidh Child, 400m hurdles (Pitreavie AAC)
Zoey Clark, 400m (Aberdeen AAC)
Mark Dry, Hammer (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies)
Andy Frost, Hammer (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies)
Kris Gauson, 1500m (Belgrave Harriers)
Callum Hawkins, 5k (Kilbarchan AAC)
Alastair Hay, 1500m (Central AC)
Tom Holligan, 200m (Edinburgh AC)
Richard Hurren, Pole Vault (Newham & Essex AC)
Sarah Kelly, 1500/800m (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
Kirsty Law, Discus (Sale Harriers)
Guy Learmonth, 800m (Lasswade AC)
Andrew Lemoncello, Marathon (Fife AC)
Gregor MacLean, Pole vault (Edinburgh AC)
Kirsten McAslan, 400m (East Cheshire Harriers)
Eilish McColgan, Steeplechase (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
Lee McConnell, 400m (Shaftesbury Barnett)
Angus McInroy, Discus (Shaftesbury Barnett)
Susan McKelvie, Hammer (Edinburgh AC)
James McLachlan, Long jump (City of Norwich)
Freya Murray, 10k (Edinburgh AC)
Jade Nimmo, Long jump (Sale Harriers)
Jayne Nisbet, High jump (Edinburgh AC)
Emma Nuttall, High jump (Edinburgh AC)
Chris O'Hare, 1500m (Edinburgh AC)
Susan Partridge, Marathon (Leeds City AC)
Nick Percy, Discus (Shaftesbury/Isle of Wight)
Myra Perkins, Hammer (Falkirk Victoria Harriers)
Beth Potter, 5k (City of Glasgow AC)
Kimberley Reed, Hammer (Edinburgh AC)
Lynsey Sharp, 800m (Edinburgh AC)
David Smith, High jump (Giffnock North)
Allan Smith, High jump (Shaftesbury Barnett)
Jax Thoirs, Pole vault (Victoria Park City of Glasgow)
Steph Twell, 1500m (Aldershot Farnham & District)
Lennie Waite, Steeplechase (unattached)
