St Albans swimmer takes home eight gold medals at European event

A swimming star who proudly took home eight gold medals at a European championships has said it just makes him “want to train harder”.

Joe, 16, from St Albans, represented Great Britain in the eighth European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal.

He said the tournament, which concluded at the beginning of November, was an “incredible” experience and “150% it was the best time of my life”.

Parents Anne and Gary said they were delighted with his achievement.

At the event, along with 102 other swimmers, he earned junior titles in backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.

He also won four top prizes in the combined event.

The teenager, who is in the pool four times a week with his team at Verulam Swim Club, said: “Knowing I got these titles, makes me want to train harder.

“You’ve just got to get out there and do your thing; there’s no fun in swimming if you’re not going to train.”

His message to other athletes: “Keep learning, never give up on what you’ve started, keep on going to make sure it’s a learning experience, as we all learn from our mistakes.

“There is always room for improvement.”

His mother Anne said: “We’re so delighted, it’s really an amazing achievement.

“He’s really found something that he can excel in and he feels really at home with his club – they make him so welcome. He could not have hoped for a more inclusive club.”

Father Gary praised his son for training “so hard”.

Joe continued: “Remain focused on the thing you’re doing and when you’re about to do something like a competition, don’t quit, get out there and show the other team what you’ve got and maybe one day in the future they’ll be the next generation to take the spot on the team.”

Joe attends Oaklands College in St Albans in its Learning for Independence and Future Employment (LIFE) programme.

Roxanne Lowe, its director, said his achievements “are the result of years of dedication, perseverance, and passion for his sport”.

“His hard work, determination, and positive attitude embody everything we stand for as a college.”

She said he was a “true champion in and out of the pool”.