Rebecca Redfern - Tokyo Paralympics GB VI Swimming Silver Medallist Interview

Here on RNIB Connect Radio we are catching up with some of the Paralympics GB visually impaired medal winners from the Tokyo Paralympic Games to find out how they got into sport, what winning that medal was like out in Tokyo and their advice for other visually impaired people on how to get into sport at any level.

Rebecca began by telling Toby how she grew up in a very competitive household with her three brothers and how she got into swimming at an early age with swimming lessons from the age of 5 as her Mum had a phobia of water and encouraged her to go swimming.

Rebecca then explained to Toby what the lead up to Tokyo was like with the pandemic forcing pools to close and for some time forcing Rebecca to train in the back garden in a hot tub.

Rebecca shared with Toby how much pressure was on her in Tokyo after  the very successful heats going into the final as the second fastest swimmer, being tipped to medal in the final race and how she did not expect to win silver at all.

Rebecca also explained to Toby what it was like competing out there in Tokyo with no crowds watching but she said there was a real sense of community within the Teams.  

Finally Rebecca shared with Toby how sport has helped her with her mental health and wellbeing saying that swimming is something she can do on her own and does not need any help when she is in the pool and how swimming gives Rebecca that real sense of freedom, that she may not get when she is out of the pool. Rebecca also shared her thoughts for the future and whether her one year old son Patrick will follow her into the pool or not!

Congratulations again Rebecca from everyone at the RNIB on that Paralympic Swimming Silver medal.

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