AN athlete from Irvine has been selected to compete at the 2016 School Games.

David Weir, 18, a student from Greenwood Academy, will represent Scotland in gymnastics at the national multi-sport event taking place at Loughborough University from September 1-4.

David, who trains at City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club, will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars who have competed at the event before going on to senior international success.

Previous competitors include Olympic gold medallist and world-record breaking swimmer Adam Peaty, Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and GB sprinter Adam Gemili.

Weir will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level at the event, where he will live within the Athletes’ Village, attend spectacular opening and closing ceremonies and perform in front of a crowd of thousands.

Weir spoke of his excitement ahead of making the trip to England at the beginning of next month. He commented: “I’m absolutely delighted as this is my seventh and final year being selected to compete”

The 1,600 athletes will be supported by 400 volunteers, many of which will be young people. Young reporters will be among the journalists reporting the action, with many of the officials and coaches also comprising of young people.

1,600 athletes will compete across 12 sports at the event, seven of which include disability disciplines. The four-day spectacular is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Loughborough University will host 11 of the sports at the Games as well as providing an Olympic style athletes village.