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British para-swimmers keep fit with 500 days to go until Tokyo Paralympics

British para-swimmers keep fit with 500 days to go until Tokyo Paralympics

April 11, 2020

Great Britain’s para-swimmers will be motivated by a new milestone in the countdown to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – which begins in 500 days.

Tokyo 2020 was postponed until the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Paralympics will now take place in the Japanese capital city from 24 August – 5 September, with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and international federations set to establish new qualification criteria.

A total of 16 qualification places were achieved for Britain at the 2019 World Para-Swimming Championships and the IPC says it “will fully respect those that have already qualified for the Games”.

The date 500 days out from the beginning of the Games has always provided excitement for athletes and fans and should provide a welcome distraction at what is a challenging time for all.

Despite the UK government’s lockdown restrictions halting preparations for Tokyo 2020, many of Britain’s para-swimmers have been keeping fit and optimistic as they train at home.

Tai’s tee trick

Alice Tai proved at the World Championships that she is in the best form of her life and her talent hasn’t been curtailed by the lockdown.

Tai took on a unique challenge, attempting to put on a T-shirt while performing a handstand.

The eight-time world champion looks full of confidence as she works towards her maiden individual Paralympic title.

Tully keeps travelling

Tully Kearney will have to wait a little longer to make her Paralympic debut, but the seven-time world champion has managed to keep up her swimming fitness from home.

The 23-year-old has made the most of a blow-up hot tub at home to work on her stroke and even become her own physiotherapist!

Kearney has kept her spirits high in recent weeks, sharing entertaining videos of her unique workouts with her Twitter followers.

Hext’s helpful hound

Suzanna Hext’s fledgling swimming career has taken a detour just as it was beginning in earnest.

Hext only began swimming competitively in 2017 – also competing in para-equestrian dressage – but won two medals on her World Championships debut in 2019.

The 31-year-old has had an excited training partner for her home workouts, with her dog, Tapi, taking on the role of strength and conditioning coach.

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