Programme to support para-swimming athlete

CAROLINE Faithfull, three-time gold medallist at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, has joined Parkwood Leisure’s Promising Athletes Programme through Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, as she prepares for the European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in October.

Caroline, 28, who is an s14 classification swimmer competing in para-swimming events, first competed for GB in 2012.

Since then she has competed at various World, European and British Championships for para-swimming, representing Team GB in 2018 as team captain.

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In preparation for this October’s European Championships in Italy, Caroline trains at the Olympic-size swimming pool at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre as part of Parkwood Leisure’s Promising Athletes Programme.

Access to the competition-standard 50m long-course pool provides a competitive environment for Caroline to train for upcoming competitions.

She said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Hengrove Park Leisure Centre and Parkwood Leisure for providing me with an amazing 50-metre swimming pool and facility to train in, which will give me the best opportunity to perform well at the upcoming European Championships. “I have always loved swimming, and I believe that whether you have a disability or not, you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Launched by Parkwood Leisure, who manage Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, the Promising Athletes Programme supports athletes competing at a national or regional level to take the next step in their competitive careers and achieve their goals. As a member of the programme, Caroline receives a range of benefits, including free access to all facilities at Hengrove Park. This includes the pool, gym and access to group exercise classes and activities. Thomas Hunter, centre manager at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, added: “We couldn’t be happier to support Caroline with free access to the facilities at Hengrove Park as part of the Promising Athlete Programme. She’s an incredible athlete and an inspiration to everyone at the facility.

“We’re proud to offer a truly competitive environment with our Olympic-standard swimming pool where Caroline can train for the upcoming European Championships, and accessible and inclusive facilities to cater to a wide range of visitors’ needs.”