Young Ollie Carter from Cupar continues to make significant progress under the guidance of the coaches at the University of Stirling. Training has been going well and he is pleased with the progress he has made since he became an undergraduate and moved away from Fife. Ollie is very respectful of the coaching team at Cupar Swimming club and the late Russ Green in particular who recognised he had a future in Para swimming and signposted him appropriately during his early years.
Since the last update, Ollie has had three competitions. Edinburgh International (15-17th March); the Eindhoven Swim Cup (11-14th April); World Championship trials aka British International at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre Glasgow (24-28th). All of which went extremely well for the ex Carnegie SC member.
Ollie had three events in Edinburgh, 50 fly – 29.72 new Scottish record and his 18th overall as a top Para swimmer. 50 free – 27.22 another PB and Scottish record. 400 free – 4:36 on this occasion no PB but Ollie swam faster than he swam in the meet in Geneva.
Eindhoven was an incredible experience for Ollie and he reckons it was one of if not the best competition he has ever been fortunate to compete in. Travelling to an elite competition with the Stirling University squad was a unique experience. Ollie loved the Netherlands and the pool was exceptional. Eindhoven was perfect preparation for the Trials. Ollie was able to practice racing skills in a competition environment.
Ollie also had three events in Eindhoven and made the finals in all his events and managed to swim faster in all three finals. 200 free – 2:06.25 a new PB and Scottish record and placed 2nd fastest in the S10 class.
400 free – 4:29.4 again faster than his last swim over this distance and skills improving greatly. Ollie was placed placed 3rd in the S10 class.
200 IM – 2:28.87 a new PB and Ollie is pleased he is getting closer to the Scottish record help by Paul Noble at 2:27. Ollie was placed third again in the S10 class.
The final event of three was the World Championships Trials in Glasgow. Ollie was delighted that the classification review he was expecting went according to plan. A huge relief for the ex Bell Baxter HS pupil. Once again Ollie’s performances were impressive. 100 free – 57.62 and a significant PB and Scottish record. Ollie was second fastest swimmer in the S10 class.
400 free – 4:27 and again faster than two weeks previously. Ollie was second fastest in the S10 class.
100 breast – Ollie had to swim 100 breast for classification purposes and he swam a PB of 1:18 but was disqualified because of a bad leg kick. Ollie was surprised at the decision but accepted it and moved on.
50 free – 27.05 and another PB and new Scottish record. Ollie was delighted that he was almost down to “26” section and finished second fastest in the S10 class.
100 fly – 1:05.94 – another significant PB for Ollie and he was pleased yet again to be challenging another record still held by Paul Noble. Ollie was 5th fastest in the S10 class
A magnificent series of performances in the three major meets Ollie has been involved with over the last few months. I am reliably informed that Ollie sits somewhere between 4th and 9th in the world rankings and he is number one in the S10 class in Scotland and Great Britain. Ollie like many other swimmers is disappointed not to be heading to the World Championships but is delighted he has made such significant improvements since he moved to Stirling.
Not surprisingly Ollie is determined to work even harder to achieve his dream of swimming for Team GB. Over the next few months Ollie has the Glasgow International, British Summer Meet and potentially a meet in Berlin as well. Best wishes Ollie and very well done at the Trials and other major meets.
Richard Brickley MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees.