Julian Fletcher, the Bermuda swimmer, is the newest member of the University of Southern California’s Elite Team.

The 23-year-old has accepted an offer to join the team and is scheduled to depart for the West Coast of the United States next week.

The USC Elite Team, that is coached by Dr David Salo, who is regarded as one of the best breaststroke coaches in the world, consists of several Olympic medallists hailing from various countries.

Fletcher said that he could barely wait to begin training with world-class swimmers as he steps up his 2016 Olympic Games qualifying bid.

“I am very excited to go out there and train with Olympic medallists at an elite level and see how I do,” Fletcher said.

“The USC have a very deep squad which is part of the reason why I chose the programme because you need to be training with the best in order to be the best.

“I think the experience on that team will help me reach my goal and strive to be the athlete I want to be.

“This is a very big leap for me. But I think I can improve tremendously on my times and focus one hundred per cent of my energy into the sport in order to make myself better and Bermuda better as well.”

Among those offering well wishes to Fletcher ahead of his departure was Ben Smith, Bermuda’s coach, who said that the swimmer was a great example of what hard work and dedication can lead to.

“As an age group swimmer he struggled as a late bloomer but he persevered and eventually had success at the Carifta level,” Smith said. “He is a great example for young Bermuda athletes who may become discouraged when they don’t have early success.”

Smith added: “Getting coaching from Dr David Salo who is one of the best breaststroke coaches in the world while competing against many of the world’s best breaststroke swimmers everyday in practice is a dream scenario.

“I wish him luck and hope that we can find support for him and all of our athletes that are striving so hard to represent Bermuda.”

Fletcher is riding on the crest of a wave having swam his fastest of the season in the 100 metres breaststroke at the recent Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Prior to the Games the swimmer captured gold medals in the 100 and 200 metre breaststroke. His impressive time of 2min 22.71sec in the 200 eclipsed the meet record, which he set in 2012, as well as the national record previously held by Chris Flook that had stood for more than two decades. Also based at the USC is Fletcher’s Bermuda team-mate Rebecca Heyliger.