Para Swimmers Make Comm Games Team

For many young Australian swimmers, making an Australian team is a lifelong dream. Two of our F-Teamers have made that dream a reality -  again! The Aussie Para Swimmers have been named for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Lakeisha Patterson and Isabella Vincent have earned themselves plane tickets.

Lakeisha, known to many as Lucky, is off to her third Commies, and will be swimming up a classification to compete in the SM10 200m IM. Set for a busy couple of months, Lucky is heading off to Madeira, Portugal, for the IPC World Championships in June, before she returns to Australia to prepare to do it all over again for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. “I’m excited to return to international travel and competition again. I’m also elated to be heading to my third Comm Games! They (Comm Games) are a rare opportunity for the inclusion of some Para sport events and disciplines; alongside our able-bodied peers,” she said.

Unique to most other team selections, the Australian Para swimmers had a 16-month window to post a consideration time. “It was definitely a different experience, yet good in the sense that it gave athletes more opportunities to qualify, especially during uncertain times.” The three-time Paralympic champion is set for unchartered waters in Birmingham, as she is not completely certain of her competitors since she will be competing up a classification in an event which is not one of her pet events.

Izzy will also be swimming up a classification to compete in the S8 100m Backstroke in Birmingham. She will be competing in the SB6 100m Breaststroke too, making her one of the few Aussie Para athletes to be swimming multiple events. With experience under the belt from her successful 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games campaign, Izzy will be one to watch in the Birmingham.

The selection window was a blessing in disguise for Izzy, enabling her time to get her body right for when it matters most. “This was a great benefit for me as I have been working on recovering from shoulder injuries. Having the window meant that I could continue to work slowly and consistently towards my goals,” she said. Unlike Tokyo where COVID restrictions meant there were no spectators, Izzy is excited to have her family in the stands cheering her on.

Stay tuned and support our F-teamers as they get back to the grind for more hard work and preparation in the lead up to Birmingham!