Seaforde’s Bethany eyes gold in Japan

Seaforde’s Bethany eyes gold in Japan

9 December 2020

SEAFORDE swimmer Bethany Firth has been speaking about how she is drawing inspiration from her mum ahead of next year’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Speaking in her role as an ambassador for Lidl’s Sport For Good initiative, the multi-gold medal winner has revealed how her mum Lindsey’s brave battle against cancer has given her a different outlook. 

As well as that, she has spoken of the difficulties presented to her preparations for Tokyo by coronavirus, and her desire to make an impact at the Games.

“My mum was diagnosed with cancer, but she has come through that and recovered. She has been cancer free now for around a year,” the 24-year old revealed.

“Seeing her, and what she has come through, has encouraged me though to keep going with things. My wonderful mum is an inspiration to me and all of our family. She has fought the disease, and had a lot of treatment and has just done so, so well.”

Four years ago, at the Rio Paralympics, Bethany made her mark on the world stage. A series of superb displays saw her take home three gold medals and one silver. She would become Team GB’s most decorated athlete of the Games.

In 2012, whilst competing for Ireland in her first Paralympics, Bethany won a gold medal at the Games in London in the S14 100 metres backstroke final. At that stage, Bethany had been swimming for only three years. She went on to win three silver medals at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships.

It remains to be seen whether Bethany’s family will be able to go to Tokyo next year to cheer her on, just as they did in Brazil.

“I would love my family to be there,” Bethany admitted. “I remember each time before I swam in Rio, they would tell me where they were seated and I would look across and could see them. It was like that important piece of comfort because I was so far away from home.

“When you see them, it is such a great support. My family are so good. At the moment, we don’t know if any spectators will be at the events. Right now, we are just hoping that the Games will go ahead.

“If they take place without spectators it will be hard, but at least we will be able to compete. I was in Japan in January and got to sample what the country is like out there. That has made me even hungrier to be there next year.

“The facilities weren’t completely built, but we saw where the athletes’ village would be and it looked great. Japan is an amazing country with an amazing culture and I would want to be there to represent myself and my country.”

Should Bethany claim more medals, it would only cement her already-assured status as one of the great Paralympians.

Having to wait the extra year for the Games, due to the spread of coronavirus has, however, brought its own difficulties. 

“When I heard earlier this year, that the Games had been called off, it was very hard to take because it is something that you are working towards for four years,” she said.

“We do other competitions of course in between though they are never as big as the Paralympics.

“However to be told they were postponed was really challenging. 

You have to look at the positives though.

“It has given me an extra year to train and to prepare. Training was probably the hardest thing.

“Obviously, the pools closed at the start of lockdown, so it meant I 

basically had to go out into a paddling pool in my back garden and I was on a bungee chord to get a feel for the water.

“Sport NI and the Sports Institute Northern Ireland made up a good programme of daily things to do, so I was on the bike and running. I’m definitely more of a pool girl, but I can’t run to save my life,” she joked.

“It was nearly the end of the first lockdown when we were allowed to train and I had to travel to Dublin three times a week.

“I am now training in Ards because, thankfully, elite athletes have been allowed to train here, which is a big positive.”

As if those challenges were not enough, Bethany has also been on the road to recovery from injury. 

“I had a shoulder problem, and had to go and get that injected, so that put me out of the water for a bit a few weeks ago. But I am back in now and building the work back up.

“My team and I have also looked at other areas of sport science to try and help me improve, such as tracking my sleep and making sure I am always recovered between sessions. 

“The British trials will be held in April and that is the main event I am focusing on at the moment. In total, I could do up to six events (next year), but I don’t think I will do that many. I will definitely do four, but I am not sure about the others.

“I have such a love for swimming and I am really excited for the Games. Hopefully I can regain some of my titles and perform strongly again.”

Speaking about her link-up with 

the Lidl Sport for Good programme, she said: “What Lidl are doing is fantastic. They are giving 40 secondary schools £3,000 worth of sports equipment. It is an amazing idea to get people into sport. There are so many physical and mental benefits that come from it.

“It is something that benefits the whole community, and sport can make such a positive impact on people’s lives.

“After the year we have had with lockdown, and people being apart, sport can undoubtedly bring people together, and I am delighted to be able to be a part of that.”