British Trials, Day 2 Finals: Kathleen Dawson Overcomes Career-Threatening Injury To Book Olympic Berth

Kathleen Dawson. Photo Courtesy: Georgia Kerr, Aquatics GB

British Trials, Day 2 Finals: Kathleen Dawson Overcomes Career-Threatening Injury To Book Olympic Berth

Kathleen Dawson fulfilled her goal of making it to her second Olympics following an injury-hit three years that threatened her very career in the pool.

The Scot won the 100m backstroke in 59.74 to dip 0.15 inside the 59.89 qualification time to book her spot on the British team for Paris 2024, three years after she swam the lead-off as the mixed medley quartet won gold in Tokyo.

The University of Stirling swimmer has had to live with and recover from sciatica caused by a bulging disc in her back shortly after she returned from the European Championships in Budapest in May 2021 where she became the continental record-holder after leading off the women’s medley relay in 58.08.

There have been some dark times for Dawson who thanked those who helped her return to the top table, saying:

“I am unbelievably grateful for the people who have got me back to this point.

“It has been a big test of proving myself and my mental character I guess: I think there were a lot of times that I could have just chucked it in and been like well I’ve gotten a gold medal at the last Olympics and I don’t need to carry on.

“But it’s not what I want to do: I knew I wanted to get back to this place so I am just so thankful I could actually be here and post times like that and qualify for the Olympics.”

Despite her injury, the 25-year-old came sixth in the individual 100 back in Tokyo in 58.70 before leading off the mixed medley in 58.80 as the quartet claimed gold of Dawson, Adam Peaty (56.78), James Guy (50.00) and Anna Hopkin (52.00) combined to come home in a world record of 3:37.58 that still stands today.

The 2024 Olympics are set to be in stark contrast to Tokyo where the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic ensured there was no-ne in the stands.

Dawson added:

“I can’t believe that’s me going to a second Olympics, it’s not really sank in.

“It’s a very emotional thought. It’s great to even have my family here watching me qualify this time.

“It’ll be great to have spectators in Paris.”

Lauren Cox was second in 1:00.13 with Honey Osrin next home in 1:00.58 ahead of Blythe Kinsman, 50 back silver medallist at last year’s European Juniors, who clocked 1:00.73.

Medi Harris, the 2022 European silver medallist, was fifth in 1:00.86 followed by Pia Murray (1:01.85), Holly McGill (1:01.86) and Alicia Wilson (1:02.39).

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