Swimming performance director Michael Scott 'gutted' with poor showing at London 2012 but will not step down

Gold medal hope Rebecca Adlington won two bronze medals (GETTY IMAGES)

Michael Scott, the performance director of British Swimming, has promised to make his team “leaner and meaner” following their failure in the London Games.

The swimmers won just three medals, a silver and two bronze, and face a certain cut in funding for the next Olympic cycle. Scott, who has no intention of standing down, has set up a review of the sport in Britain which will include input from two independent advisors.

Scott is keen to use the know-how of other sports that succeeded in London. Malcolm Brown, the man behind the Brownlee brothers success in triathlon, is one possibility, as is David Tanner, rowing's performance director who has overseen the "win or bust" success Britain has enjoyed in this Games.

Scott's hands shook as he read out a statement today before answering questions. "I'm gutted with the performances," said the Australian. "We came here to be successful and success is measured by podium performances. We didn't achieve that. On a personal level, I've never experienced a low like this. We most likely will have to be leaner and meaner. That means that things will change."

Only Australia and the US had more finalists than Britain but the failure to turn that into medals will see UK Sport reduce their £25m funding after December's review.