XXII Commonwealth Games, BIRMINGHAM 2022 – CONGRATULATIONS!

 

Many congratulations to the Swim Team selected to represent Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

 

The host nation,  Birmingham, welcomed some 6500 athletes and officials from 72 nations who came together to compete in 19 different sports.   With the help of 13,000 volunteers and  some of the biggest crowds the city has ever seen, the host nation delivered a hugely successful Games.  Competing at this level was a wonderful experience for our Guernsey athletes.

 

One of the most significant highlights of the Games was Guernsey returning home with its first medals since 1994 – a silver going to Lucy Beere (Bowls) and  a bronze to Alastair Chalmers (athletics).  Although swimming was not in medal position, the team excelled reaching 3 individual semi-finals and setting three individual Island Records.  In the relay events, the girls made history competing in these events for the very first time setting new island Records in the 4 x 100 Medley and Freestyle Relays and, with the help of the boys, establishing new Island Records in the

4 x 100 Mixed Medley and Freestyle Relays.

 

The team, made up of Orla Rabey, Tatiana Tostevin, Molly Staples, Laura Le Cras, Jonny Beck, Charlie-Joe Hallett, Ronny Hallett, and Sam Lowe thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting swimmers from all over the Commonwealth and rubbing shoulders with Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champions.  They even got to meet Prince Charles!   We hope this experience has inspired them to work towards team selection for the next Games which will be staged in Victoria, Australia in 2026.

 

A brilliant team effort – well done swimmers and a big thank you to the coaches - Sara Parfit and Naomi Wakefield.   A special thank you also to the reserves, Oriana Wheeler and Tom Teasdale who remained on standby in the lead-up to the Games.

 

Results attached.  Pictures – courtesy of the Guernsey Press.

 

Chris Butt

President

GASA