REDDISH TO DRIVE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING
Britain's National Performance Director for Disability Swimming
Tim Reddish MBE has been named Chairman for IPC Swimming.
A three-time Paralympian, Reddish has been involved in disability
sport for more than 20 years and following medal-winning performances
in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney, he was appointed British
Performance Director in April 2003.
In 2004 Reddish led his swimmers to Paralympic success in
Athens, claiming more medals in the pool (52) than any other
nation, and in December 2006 he led the team to world honours,
winning the World Championships with a total of 24 gold, 14
silver and 14 bronze medals.
In his role as IPC Swimming Chairman, Reddish will head up
the IPC Swimming committee through to at least 2010. IPC Swimming
currently sits under the International Paralympic Committee
umbrella but Reddish has been tasked with establishing the
body as independent from the world federation for disability
sport.
"It's interesting times for IPC and I'm looking forward
to working with them on changes within the sport," said
Reddish. "My first challenge is to establish a swimming
technical committee and appoint key people to help take the
sport forwards.
"It's a privilege to be appointed as IPC Swimming Chairman
and I'm honoured. I hope I can use my knowledge, skills and
expertise gained over years of being involved with swimming
to benefit the sport internationally.
"I'd like to thank British Swimming and UK Sport for
their continued support and encouragement for this role."
British Paralympic Association (BPA) Chief Executive Phil
Lane is delighted with Reddish's appointment.
"It's great news that Tim has been selected for this
role, which is fantastic for Paralympic sport in the UK,"
he said. "It's fantastic to have a former British Paralympic
athlete selected to chair the IPC Swimming Committee."
"Tim has had tremendous success with the British Disability
Swimming team and taken their performance to another level.
We're sure his expertise will also be valuable on a world
stage."
Britain's top disability swimmers are next in action at the
Visa Paralympic World Cup on Saturday 12 May at the Manchester
Aquatics Centre. Athletes from more than 25 countries will
converge on Manchester for the event, including 16 of Britain's
medallists from the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships.
In 2006 Britain was the most successful nation in the pool
with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals, but a change
in the programme means none of the GB swimmers will be defending
their titles.
However, 10 swimmers from last year's competition are back
this year, including World Champions Dave Roberts, Sascha
Kindred and Natalie Jones. And newcomers Emma Cattle, Jonathan
Fox and Matt Whorwood will also be looking to impress on their
first World Cup outing.
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