SO LONG, FAREWELL TO PARALYMPIC SWIMMER
One of Britain's best-known Paralympic swimmers Giles Long
has announced his retirement after a 13-year career at the
top of his sport.
The London-based Butterfly specialist hangs up his trunks
at the end of a glorious career that has seen him compete
at three Paralympic Games and win more than 20 major international
medals in individual and team events.
The pinnacle of Long's career was at the Sydney Paralympics
where, at the age of 24, he defended his Paralympic title
in the 100m Butterfly in a world record time before joining
his team mates to secure gold in the 4x100m Freestyle and
silver in the 4x100m Medley.
Now aged 30, Long believes the time is right to call an end
to his swimming career after devoting more than 20 years of
his life to the sport.
"I've continued to improve right up until the end of
my career, but those improvements became smaller as my career
went on and I got to the stage where the sport has overtaken
me," he explained.
"The key thing for me was to know I wouldn't regret
retiring and after the World Championships in South Africa
I knew the time was right."
Looking back on his time with the British team, the Barnet
Copthall swimmer identifies his high points at the Sydney
and Athens Paralympics.
"I've had three big highlights during my career; winning
the 100m Fly in a new world record and getting silver in the
4x100m Medley in Sydney and winning the bronze in 100m Fly
in Athens," explained Long.
"The Medley relay in Sydney was a massive race and we
knew the Canadians would win it, so it was between us and
Australia for the silver. There was less than half a second
between us on paper and we knew it would be down to the last
man. If we could get Woodsy [Marc Woods] in the water less
than 4m behind on the final leg we'd have a chance. Beating
the home nation in such an amazing race in front of 20,000
Australians is something I'll always remember.
"The bronze in Athens was so special because it put
into stark relief what I'd actually achieved during my career.
Everyone wants to win gold, and I wish I had, but getting
the bronze in a new personal best put everything into perspective,
which is something you don't get to do very often."
Long, who sits on the Village Steering Group for London 2012
and works on behalf of the Youth Sport Trust, will continue
to stay involved with sport, but is hoping his retirement
gives him the opportunity to carve a career in motivational
speaking.
"I'm sure I'll still be involved in swimming in one
way or another," he said. "I'll continue to mentor
young athletes and one day I might get back into coaching
at a grass roots level, but my main focus at the moment is
my motivational speaking.
"I've been going into schools and learning the trade
for the last two years now and I've presented at a variety
of corporate events too.
"Motivational speaking provides me with a career that
emulates the adrenaline rush of competing, which is something
I'll definitely miss from the sport. When you've been an international
swimmer for 13 years, you're used to being surrounded by highly
motivated, inspirational people. You think that's the norm,
but it isn't.
"It's a great feeling to leave a room leaving people
enthused, re-energised and re-thinking the way they work and
live. This new career will provide a lot of highs.
Despite having made the decision to retire, Long explains
that it still feels odd to give up something that's been a
part of his life for so long.
"I've been swimming since the age of seven, and there's
not many 30-year-olds that can say they've done something
for 23 years," he said. "I think if you participate
in any sport at an extreme level like I did, there is an element
of being institutionalised.
"I knew my career would end eventually, but nevertheless
it's been quite a jolt - it's exciting but scary. I feel a
bit like a super hero stripped of their powers. For years
I've been Giles the swimmer, but now I'm just Giles."
For more information on Giles or for details of his motivational
speaking, log onto www.gileslong.com
Long's major sporting achievements are as follows:
1994 World Championships, Malta
Gold 100m Butterfly WR
Silver 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Bronze 200m Individual Medley
1995 European Championships, Perpignan (France)
Gold 100m Butterfly
Silver 200m Individual Medley
1996 Paralympics, Atlanta (USA)
Gold 100m Butterfly PR
Silver 4x100m Medley Relay
Bronze 200m Individual Medley
1998 World Championships, Christchurch (NZ)
Silver 100m Butterfly
Bronze 4x100m Medley Relay
1999 European Championships, Braunschweig (Germany)
Gold 100m Butterfly
Gold 200m Individual Medley
2000 Paralympics, Sydney (Australia)
Gold 100m Butterfly WR
Gold 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Silver 4x100m Medley Relay
2001 European Championships, Stockholm (Sweden)
Gold 100m Butterfly
Silver 200m Individual Medley
2002 World Championships, Mar Del Plata (Argentina)
Silver 100m Butterfly
Bronze 200m Individual Medley
2004 Paralympics, Athens (Greece)
Bronze 100m Butterfly PR & ER
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