Steve Parry

Steve Parry - Olympic Medallist

Session Theme: Why I started swimming

I was encouraged to learn to swim after falling into the Thames during a boat trip as a youngster!

Stephen first joined a swimming club in Woolton and then went on to swim for the Liverpool Penguins and City of Liverpool clubs. He started training seriously when he was 12 but also enjoyed playing cricket and basketball for his school teams. Training became more intense when he was 16 and he decided he wanted to take part in the Junior European Championships. The following year, aged 17, he won the competition for Great Britain and wore his British tracksuit with great pride.

Aged 18 Stephen left the UK to attend Florida State University, studying Marketing and Finance alongside his swimming. He excelled during his time in America, gaining selection for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Team and winning the American collegiate national title.

Stephen was disappointed not to win a medal at the Sydney Olympics finishing in fourth place in the 200m Butterfly.

For the Athens Olympics in 2004 Stephen decided to concentrate on the journey, not just the result and this obviously paid off. He finished ahead of Michael Phelps in the semi-final of the 200m Butterfly race, becoming one of only three people in the world to beat him.

Then in the final on Tuesday 17 August Stephen finished in bronze medal position with a British and Commonwealth record time. The date will be forever be engraved on his memory, Stephen says standing on the rostrum in his Great Britain tracksuit and seeing the Union Jack blowing in the breeze was the most unbelievable experience of his life.

He also reported that taking part in the Olympic final was �fascinating, terrifying, I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth and got in there!�

Stephen was the GB Swimming Team captain for the Athens Olympics. His �endearing Scouse wit� has been recorded as one of his best features by other team members, along with his affable character, professionalism and great leadership qualities.