Aimee to give rivals more than they Bargained for
AIMEE WILLMOTT spent three months bingeing on Bargain Hunt fearing her swimming career would be consigned to the rubbish bin.
But the Middlesbrough-born swimmer admits upping sticks to train in Scotland got the love for the sport back she needs to bag some European loot.
Willmott, 25, had feared the worst during three months out the water last year when she was forced to miss the World Championships after breaking two ribs and having knee surgery.
She said: “I did no exercise, no swimming, not a lot really because I literally couldn’t move.
“I sat on the sofa and watched more episodes of Bargain Hunt and Homes Under The Hammer than I ever have. I couldn’t do a lot for a long time and that was the hardest thing from being so active.
“You get into a bit of a downward spiral. Once you get over it you appreciate what you do is supposed to be fun. That’s how I managed to rebuild and approach things differently.”
Willmott was able to do so at Stirling University after her programme in London collapsed last year.
And the decision paid off when she pipped Scot Hannah Miley to 400 metres medley gold at the Commonwealth Games.
She said: “It was a new challenge moving here and if I didn’t buy into it 100 per cent it was never going to work.”