Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. If you’d like to learn more about the cookies we set or how to manage what cookies your browser accepts, you can find out on our cookie information page.

Go Swimming has everything you need to know about swimming. If you are a parent, a non swimmer or just want to improve your technique this is the section for you.

In British Swimming you will find information about the world of high performance sport, including the disciplines of Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Disability Swimming.

The ASA is the governing body for the sport in England. In this section you will find all you need to know about joining a club or competing in England and becoming a swimming teacher or coach.

The IoS delivers the ASA’s courses and is a member organisation. Whether you are a teacher, coach, employer or club you will find everything you need to know about qualifications or educating your workforce.

Keep up-to-date

Accessibility - Text Only - Display Options - Accessibility

The Locker Room

Meet the Swimming
Superstars

Simmonds breaks first world record in London

Share this page

8th March 2012

There were tears of joy from double Paralympic gold medallist Eleanor Simmonds as she broke her own SM6 world record in the 200m Individual Medley final at the British Gas Swimming Championships in London.

Simmonds, who swam within the Paralympic qualification time in the heats this morning, went even faster in the finals to record a time 3.08.14 with 1018 points and become the first person to break a world record in the new London Aquatics Centre.

I can't believe it. When I touched I was so shocked. It's still sinking in!

“There's always people chasing me so I always need to improve my times,” said Simmonds. “I've been focusing a lot on my IM leading into this competition so I knew I could do well but I wasn't expecting a world record, I thought I'd be on my pb.

“I can't believe it. When I touched, I was so shocked. It's still sinking in. I can't wait to see my parents and coach now. I'm so happy.”

Natalie Jones (SM6) finished in second place in a time of 3.15.57 and 906 points and Rhiannon Henry lowerd her own SM13 British record to finish third in 2.33.64 and 897 points.

Swansea Performance's Gemma Almond finished fourth but took consolation from ducking under the SM10 Paralympic qualification time and beating Sarah Bailey's 16-year old British record with her effort of 2:37.90.

SM9 pair Louise Watkin (2:36.30) and Claire Cashmore (2:38.23) also went under Paralympic qualification time as they improved on their times from the heats to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

Six-time Paralympic champion Sascha Kindred (SM6) was in action tonight in the 200m Individual Medley final, taking the title in 2.48.44 and 893 points.

“It was a strong race but it was a little bit slower than I went this morning,” he said “I was happy with my heat time and tried to improve on it but it just wasn't to be tonight.

“But I did enough to win the gold and I'm happy with that so I'm looking forward to taking it to London.

“We were stood in the call room and we heard Ellie getting that world record and the crowd going wild so it's good for the GB team to show people what we can do and hopefully there will be more world records to come in September.”

Kindred beat James Crisp into silver, who touched in 2.20.70 and 856 points to dive under the SM9 Paralympic qualification marker. Robert Welbourn (SM10) was third in 2.19.53 and 833 points.

Finally, Lyndon Longhorne (SM4) swam to the victory in the 150m Individual Medley, touching in a British record 3:02.36.

Useful?

1

© British Swimming & The ASA. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy