Edinburgh swimmer Archie Goodburn joins Team Scotland

Archie Goodburn - British champion and Scottish record holder. <i>(Image: Euan Cherry)</i>
Archie Goodburn - British champion and Scottish record holder. (Image: Euan Cherry)
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Swimmer Archie Goodburn has graduated from the University of Edinburgh just days before representing Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old earned a first-class undergraduate master's degree in chemical engineering on Monday, July 13, before turning his attention to competing in Glasgow.

Archie Goodburn. (Image: Chris Duguid)

Mr Goodburn will represent Scotland in the 50m breaststroke and the men's 4x100m medley relay at the Commonwealth Games.

His graduation comes after balancing elite sport with his studies while overcoming a rare brain tumour diagnosis in 2024.

During his final year, he combined his academic work with his personal experience by researching nanoparticle-based drug delivery for brain cancer treatment as part of his master's thesis.

Archie Goodburn. (Image: Euan Cherry)

He is one of 21 University of Edinburgh athletes selected to compete for Team Scotland across six sports at the Games.

The University of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Games squad also includes swimmers Faye Rogers, Stephen Clegg, Ciara Schlosshan, Anna Morgan, Scott Gibson, Lucy Hope, Stefan Krawiec and Joshua Mitchell, alongside athletes competing in athletics, judo, netball, weightlifting and basketball.



Mr Goodburn said: "Graduating from Edinburgh is a moment of immense pride that I'll never forget, and doing it just days before a home Commonwealth Games makes it all the more special.

"I'm hugely grateful to the University for the support I've received throughout my degree, both academically and through the Performance Swimming programme.

"Balancing the two would simply not have been possible without it, and it's been a privilege to study here."

Mark Munro, director of sport and active health at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Archie's graduation is a fantastic achievement and reflects the determination, discipline and commitment he has shown both in his studies and in the pool.

"Balancing the demands of a degree with competing at the highest level of competition is no small feat.

"Archie embodies what is possible when talented student athletes are supported to pursue excellence across all aspects of university life, with his selection for Team Scotland highlighting the strength of our world-class performance sport programmes.

"We are incredibly proud to see Archie graduate before competing in a home Commonwealth Games and wish him every success in Glasgow."

Professor Guangzhao Mao, head of the School of Engineering, added: "We are incredibly proud of what Archie has achieved across competitive swimming, chemical engineering and his tireless advocacy for people living with brain diseases.

"His accomplishments reflect not only exceptional talent and determination but also a deep commitment to improving the lives of others."

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