Swim England Artistic Swimming
Karen Thorpe wins ASA Special Recognition Award for Synchro
December 7, 2016ASA England Programmes Talent Development Officer Karen Thorpe received the ASA Special Recognition Award for Synchro at last month’s ASA Aquatics Awards.
Thorpe was commended for her hard work and commitment to synchronised swimming.
Synchronised swimming has completely transformed in the last 18 months, following the loss of UK Sport funding for the sport at an elite level. This led to the closure of the High Performance Centre.
The responsibility for keeping synchro alive at this level fell to Thorpe and the synchro community.
Using her passion for the sport to drive her, she has not only made sure that there is still an English talent pathway for synchro, but also helped two athletes to return from retirement and compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Olivia Federici and Katie Clarke, who themselves won ASA Performance Athletes of the Year for Synchro, qualified for Rio 2016. They also improved their rankings on the world and European stage.
Karen thanks the synchro community
“Receiving the award was a total shock,” said Thorpe. “I was obviously thrilled to win and it means a great deal to be recognised.
“It is not just my hard work though. This award is testament to the team effort that comes from the coaches, athletes, officials and synchro families across England. Without their help, we would not be able to create and sustain a world-class talent programme for synchro.”
Rio 2016 diving bronze medallist Dan Goodfellow and Paralympic 50m Butterfly champion Ellie Robinson presented the awards at the Great Hall at Birmingham University.
