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Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Olympian makes splash with pupils

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Olympian Mark Foster at Preston pool
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Published Date:
10 November 2009
Olympic swimmer and former Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Foster made a splash when he leapt into a mobile swimming pool at a Lancashire school.
Mark – who holds ten European championship medals – launched himself into the water sideways to make waves with children from St Joseph's Catholic Primary in their school hall in Rigby Street, Ribbleton, Preston.

The 39-year-old was in the city to launch the British Gas Pools4Schools programme, which sees pools set up in areas across the country where people find it difficult to access facilities.

Mark, an eight-time world record holder, said: "I'm very passionate about swimming. I learnt to swim at the age of five. I was very fortunate that there was a pool near me.

"My father can't swim. He got thrown in a lake when he was 11 – petrified of water.

"So he was determined that myself and my sisters would learn to swim for that reason. He turned his fear into my love of it.

"And I just think it's important that kids learn to swim because it is fun. Water's a fun environment. There's so many activities you can do in the water – people sail, canoe, water-ski, play water polo.

"It's a great way of staying fit and healthy. Who knows, someone might come in here, learn to swim, have a passion for it, have a talent for it and might become the next Rebecca Adlington."

St Joseph's is one of 16 schools in the area which will have use of the pool for six weeks in a bid to achieve the National Curriculum target of teaching youngsters to swim 25m.

Mark, who was the sixth star to get the boot from last year's Strictly Come Dancing, took time out to give his opinion on who will win this year's show.

He said: "On talent alone and dancing it's a two-horse race. You've got Ricky Whittle and Ali Bastian.

"But you've also got a few jokers in there who are good at dancing, not as good, but they bring an entertainment element to it."

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  • Last Updated: 10 November 2009 8:13 AM
  • Source: Lancashire Evening Post CTY
  • Location: Preston
  • Related Topics: Ribbleton
 
 

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