Australia reveal team for 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

By Sport Inclusion Australia

A team of 10 Australian swimmers will take on the world’s best at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, from the 28 November – 3 December.

Returning to South America after their domination of the pool at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador, team officials are confident of another strong showing.

Four athletes will make their international debut alongside some more established swimmers.

In the women’s events Jade Lucy and Jaime-Lee Getson impressed in 2015 winning multiple medals between them.  Both swimmers return with promising qualifying times. Nikesha Harding is also expected to feature on the podium in individual events.

Australia’s women dominated the relays in Ecuador and will be keen for another good performance in Mexico.  Lucy, Harding and Getson will be joined by India Biesse-Fitton and debutants Casey Stevens and Bronte Marshall in the relay events.

“While most swimmers will have a large number of individual events we look forward to focusing on the relays, which will provide an opportunity for our younger swimmers to experience the pressure of swimming for a medal,”  Herbie Howard, Head Coach, said.

Patrick Donachie debuted for Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics winning gold in the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay at the age of 17.  Seventeen years later he is still swimming for Australia.

Donachie will contest the men’s 50m butterfly, backstroke and freestyle events along with the 100m freestyle and backstroke in Mexico. He is expected to team up with his fellow swimmers in the relays.

“Patrick has been a senior statesman of our swim teams for many years and has been a wonderful team captain and mentor for the younger swimmers, it is a pleasure to have him on our team again,” Tracy Lawrence, Australian Team Manager, said.

Donachie will be joined by Ben Morrison and debutants Ben Stokes and Jarrod Lee in the men’s relay events.

Full Australian team roster

Men
Patrick Donachie
Ben Morrison
Ben Stokes
Jarrod Lee

Women
Casey Stevens

Jade Lucy
India Biesse-Fitton

Jamie – Lee Getson
Nikesha Harding
Bronte Marshall

Funding

As a self-funded team, a Mycause page to assist with the cost of representing Australia at the Championships has been set-up.

Aguascalientes 2017 is expected to attract around 150 athletes from 20 countries – the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment this year.