Fresh Faces, Big Wins: S14 Swimming Debutants Dazzle at Paris 2024

At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, 57 athletes with intellectual impairments—32 men and 25 women—took to the pool, each striving for a coveted spot on the podium. For many, this was their first Paralympic experience, yet they made an unforgettable impact. Several athletes dazzled in their debut, standing atop the podium once or even multiple times, setting the stage for a bright future in Paralympic sport.

1. Poppy Maskill (GBR): Three gold, two silver and one World Record

At just 19 years old, Poppy Maskill became ParalympicsGB’s standout performer at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, securing three gold medals and two silver on her debut. The Cheshire swimmer earned ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games, breaking a world record to win gold in the 100m S14 butterfly. She then claimed further golds in the 100m S14 backstroke and the 4x100m S14 freestyle relay, along with silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley S14. Poppy was also honoured as one of the ParalympicsGB flagbearers at the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony.

2. Alexander Hillhouse (DEN): Gold with Paralympic Record

In the men’s 100m butterfly S14, Danish swimmer Alexander Hillhouse made a splash at his first Paralympic Games by setting a new Paralympic record with a time of 54.61. Competing at just 20 years old, Hillhouse fulfilled a childhood dream that began in his backyard pool, where he fell in love with swimming, inspired by how killer whales moved through the water. True to his vision, Alexander swam with the power and grace of a killer whale, breaking the Paralympic record.

His journey to Paris 2024 was paved with success, having won two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes, and set four Danish records at the 2023 Virtus Global Games. Hillhouse is now proud to call himself a Paralympian, a title he has more than earned.

3. William Ellard (GBR): Two Gold and One Silver with One World Record

Sixteen-year-old William Ellard delivered an outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. He secured a silver medal in the 100m butterfly S14 before taking gold in the 200m freestyle S14, where he shattered the world record previously held by Reece Dunn by over a second. Ellard also contributed to another gold in the Mixed 4×100m freestyle relay S14. In 2023, Ellard won gold in the Men’s 100m Freestyle at the British World Series and added three more medals to his collection at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester.

4. Rhys Darbey (GBR): One Gold and One Silver 

Nofio Clwyd swimmer Rhys Darbey made his international breakthrough in 2023, earning qualification for the Manchester Para Swimming World Championships in the Men’s SM14 200m Individual Medley. Paris 2024 marked Darbey’s Paralympic debut, where he secured a gold medal in the Mixed S14 4x100m Relay and a silver medal in the SM14 200m Individual Medley.

5. Olivia Newman-Baronius (GBR): One Gold and One Bronze

Olivia made a remarkable Paralympic debut in Paris 2024, returning home with two medals: a gold in the Mixed S14 4x100m Relay and a bronze in the S14 100m Backstroke. She had a stellar start to the year, which included equalling the Women’s S14 100m Butterfly world record at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London. Earlier in the year, at her maiden international championships with the British team, Newman-Baronius secured European titles in the 100m Butterfly and 200m Individual Medley, along with a silver in the 200m Freestyle in Madeira.

6. Arthur Xavier (BRA): One Bronze

Arthur began swimming at the young age of 4 and by 12, he was already competing in national competitions regularly, continuing until 2019. During his training, his coach noticed behaviours similar to athletes with intellectual impairment and recommended that Arthur undergo classification for the S14 category. Following this, Arthur transitioned into Paralympic swimming, opening a new chapter in his athletic career.

7. Aira Kinoshita (JPN): One Bronze 

Aira’s journey in swimming began at the tender age of two, laying a solid foundation for her competitive career. By 2022, she had fully embraced the sport, marking the beginning of her professional swimming journey for Japan. Her debut quickly captured attention, with sports analysts and fans praising her impressive skills.

Aira Kinoshita made a remarkable entrance to the Paralympic stage, clinching a bronze medal in the SM14 Individual Medley during her Paralympic debut. Earlier, Aira won two gold and two silver at the 2022 Asian Para Games and gold with an Asian record in 200m Freestyle at the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games.

8. Mark Thompsett (GBR): One Bronze

Mark Tompsett made an impressive debut at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, securing a bronze medal in the Men’s S14 100m Backstroke. This achievement capped off a remarkable year for the British swimmer, who had already claimed gold in the Men’s S14 100m Backstroke at the 2024 European Championships in Madeira. Earlier in 2024, Tompsett had shown his potential by winning multi-classification bronze medals at both the World Para Swimming Series in Aberdeen and the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London, securing his Paralympic nomination. Born in Chorley, Lancashire, Tompsett’s journey began when his parents encouraged him to learn swimming as a life skill. He quickly progressed, joining his first club, Chorley Marlins, and now trains under Ric Howard at Bolton Metro Swimming Club. With his bronze medal in the S14 200m Individual Medley, Tompsett has firmly established himself as one of the rising stars of British para-swimming.

These Paralympic debutants embodied the true spirit of competition, overcoming challenges and making their nations proud. Their performances at Paris 2024 were not just impressive first appearances—they marked the start of lasting legacies and paved the way for future champions and made athletes with intellectual impairment VISIBLE.