Paris beckons for swimmer Cerys
15- year- old books place in GB squad
A swimming superstar has been selected to represent Great Britain for a European event in October.
Cerys McCrindle, of Ayr, was called upto the GB swimming team for the Down’s Syndrome European Championships - which will be held in Paris.
She has been swimming for four years, and aged just 15 Cerys competed in the Special Olympics earlier this month in Sheffield - where she brought home an impressive haul of three silver medals.
She won silver medals for 50 metre freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m team relays.
Cerys was joined in Sheffield by two swimmers who train with her at Prestwick Swimming Pool - Fiona Dawson, 36, and Laura Logan, 23.
Fiona, of Ayr, picked up two bronze medals and Laura, of Coylton, picked up a 4th and 5th place. Both were also picked for the European championships.
And now Cerys, who is going into 4th year at Prestwick Academy, has her eyes firmly set on going one better in Paris and picking up a gold medal.
She said: “I am looking forward to the games in Paris, I think it will be a great experience.
“I was really happy with winning silvers in Sheffield but I want to get a first place in October.”
Cerys will be one of only three Scottish female swimmers at the event - and one of only 30 representing Great Britain.
And mum Karen was overthemoon at Cerys’s news. Karen said: “It’s great for Cerys as she has worked so hard for this over the years and I am glad it is finally all paying off.
“We will be staying in Paris for a week at the end of October and we will be joined by Cerys’s father ( Ewan), brother ( Lewis) and her grandparents.
“There are competitors coming from all over Europe, it’s such a huge event and the main thing is the social aspect really.
“Of course everyone wants to win - but the main thing is that it’s helping everyone get out there and get to know each other.
“Sport is great for people who have Down’s Syndrome as it boosts their confidence more than anything.”
Karen added: “Sometimes it can be hard for Cerys, and it can be quite draining on me sometimes.
“But that is very rarely - as Cerys on the whole deals with it well and she is more than holding her own.
“She is attending a mainstream school - sometimes she is slow with things but as long as we are patient there are no problems.”
The Special Olympics was indeed ‘ special’ for Cerys and all other competitors as the games were opened by a performance at Sheffield United’s stadium Bramall Lane from Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley and also featured well known football star Chris Kamara.