Interview with Lizzie Simmonds

Congratulations on winning 3 gold medals at the European Junior Championships last week. How did you find the competition overall?

The standard had increased from last year. I think this was due to the fact that each nation was allowed four swimmers this year so there were a lot more people. The times were faster and there were a lot of records broken, which made it really exciting!

How did you first get in to swimming?

I have always loved the water, when I was really little and I used to cry, my mum would put me in the paddling pool and I would stop. I started swimming with my friend at the club I am still with now (Lincolnshire Vulcans) and got spotted by a talent scout when I was bout 8 years old.

I read that you have never thought of yourself as a 50m swimmer, but you got silver at the European Championships. Is this a new string to your swimm

I’m not sure, it was a bit of a shock winning the silver and I took half a second off my PB! I like swimming 50m but I am more of a controlled swimmer and 50m is so fast. I will continue doing it as it’s short and sweet, but I don’t think I will ever consider it my main event.

You swim backstroke and freestyle, which is your favourite and why?

It is probably backstroke because I feel more comfortable with that stroke and you can breathe easier on your back. Underwater fly kick is my strongest swimming action and you get to do lots of that in backstroke. I do enjoy freestyle though.

You have been tipped as one of Britain’s greatest medal hopes for London 2012, how does that make you feel?

Pretty excited really! It’s an awesome thing to have said about you, but I have to keep my feet on the ground. If I go to Beijing, that will be a major experience. As far as London 2012 goes, I will just have to see how things pan out. A lot can happen between now and then.

You are still in school, have you been doing your GCSEs this year? If so, how do you find juggling your school work with your training?

It’s quite tough. I have missed a lot of school over the past few years due to being away on training camps. My school has been really good about it though. It’s very tiring juggling training with my schoolwork. You have to put in a lot of effort to catch up.

How much training do you do each week?

On an average week I do about 20 hours in the pool, which is 60,000m. I do another couple of hours in the gym.

Are you into any other sports or hobbies aside from swimming?

Not really, I don’t have much time for anything else. I love going away with my family and surfing. I used to do other things and sports but swimming has pretty much taken over now.

I hear you live in the ground of a cathedral, is that true?

I do. The cathedral is a stones throw away. I love it up here, it’s very oldy worldy. I have a castle on one side and a cathedral on the other; it’s very beautiful. My house is about 700 years old!

What is your proudest achievement in swimming so far?

That’s a tough one, I would probably have to say making the finals in the World Championships. Last week at the European Championships was also amazing though as I hadn’t had much rest and was really proud of the way I swam. Winning three gold’s was brilliant!

What advice do you have for other young swimmers trying to make it?

Never give up, whether it be in training or in a race. Just enjoy yourself and have a good time, otherwise there’s no point. You’ve only got one life.