Earlier in 2020 Borders athlete Beth Johnston decided to take a step back from swimming and retire from the sport, however can look back on her swimming career and be extremely proud of her achievements which have spanned eight years, from supporting the formation of the first para swim session in the region to representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
The former Galashiels Academy pupil began her para swimming career in 2012 with Borders Baracudas and played a significant role in supporting the development of this group alongside two other swimmers, local Branch Borders Disability Sport and Scottish Disability Sport. Beth has provided genuine inspiration for para swimmers in the Scottish Borders and the club now boasts a far larger membership than in 2012, many of the individuals motivated to replicate her success in the water.
As well as training with the Borders Baracudas and living in Galashiels, Beth would travel to Midlothian weekly to train with renowned para swimming club Lothian Racers where she further developed her skills under the hugely experienced coaching team at the club. Beth, and her supportive family, showed commitment and motivation to improve and would also regularly travel to West Lothian to link up with other talented para swimmers from the East of Scotland at the monthly Scottish Disability Sport regional squad sessions. This hard work was recognised as Beth was awarded the Lothian Disability Sport Young Sports Person of the Year in 2013 and then supported through the Jim Anderson OBE Bursary in 2014.
By 2014, Beth was firmly established as part of the Scottish Swimming National Para Swim Squad and was the first ever swimmer with a disability to be selected to join the Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) where she thrived under the guidance of coach Lauren Jocelyn and latterly Robyn Methven. The 19-year-old was also one of three athletes with a disability to be part of the Borders Athlete Support Programme (ASP), paving the way for other individuals with an impairment to receive support in the future.
Achievements in the pool continued to follow for the S10 swimmer who recorded significant results in 2017, claiming double gold at a World Para Swimming Series in Indianapolis, USA. On home soil, Beth had already broken the Scottish record for the S10 Backstroke at the British Para Swimming International Meet and claimed another Scottish record at the Scottish Disability Sport National Championships for the 50m Backstroke. Beth was also recognised at the 2018 Live Borders Celebration of Sport Awards, claiming the Disability Sport Award.
In 2018, the Borders swimmer was selected to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia and competed in the SM10 Individual Medley. This prestigious achievement will live long in the memory and will provide inspiration for the stars of tomorrow in the Scottish Borders and beyond. A true role model in the sport and everyone at Scottish Disability Sport wishes you all the best in your future endeavours!