British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships Sees Records Fall in Inaugural Meet

EDITORIAL USE ONLY L-R - Caroline Faithfull, Helen Thompson and Cerys McCrindle on the podium after the Women’s 200m Freestyle at the inaugural British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, organised by Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain (DSS-GB), at the K2 in Crawley. Picture date: Saturday November 19, 2022. PA Photo. 135 swimmers aged between 10 and 50, all of varying abilities, are competing in 44 events across the two days, culminating in the crowning of the British Champions for 2022. The competition, which is supported by leading London waste management company, Powerday and construction and engineering specialist, Keltbray, is a first for swimmers with Down syndrome who are not currently represented in the Paralympics. Photo credit should read: Matt Alexander/PA Wire.

Photo Courtesy: Matt Alexander/PA Wire.

British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships Sees Records Fall in Inaugural Meet

World records were broken and personal bests were smashed at the action-packed British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships held on 19th and 20th November 2022.

The inaugural championships, organized by Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain (DSS-GB), are a big move for the swimming world. Swimmers were able to compete at the highest level in a first-rate national competition at one of the top swimming facilities in the south-east, K2 Crawley.

Andrea Manson BEM, Trustee of Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain, commented: “This competition has marked a moment in history that we’re so proud of. The Championships will return next year, providing more competitive opportunities for swimmers with Down syndrome.”

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Swimmers compete during the inaugural British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, organised by Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain (DSS-GB), at the K2 in Crawley. Picture date: Saturday November 19, 2022. PA Photo. 135 swimmers aged between 10 and 50, all of varying abilities, are competing in 44 events across the two days, culminating in the crowning of the British Champions for 2022. The competition, which is supported by leading London waste management company, Powerday and construction and engineering specialist, Keltbray, is a first for swimmers with Down syndrome who are not currently represented in the Paralympics. Photo credit should read: Matt Alexander/PA Wire.

Photo Courtesy: Matt Alexander/PA Wire.

Tracey McCillen, CEO UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disabilities, added: “The Championships were a huge success and an incredibly important event for swimmers with Down syndrome. It has set a precedent within the swimming world that all swimmers – with a disability or not – should be able to compete at a national, competitive level. The Championships provided the swimmers with a platform to connect with each other and of course showcase their amazing athletic talents.”

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The competition was sponsored by leading London waste management company Powerday and construction engineering specialist Keltbray, both well known for championing health and wellbeing in their local communities. The collaboration will allow the Championships to become an annual fixture in the sporting calendar for five more years, giving the competitors a goal to train for and a pathway to greater success.

The next British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships will be held at K2, Crawley on 18th and 19th November in 2023. For more information, click here.

Swimmers with T21 results:

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Swimmers with Mosaic Down syndrome results:

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