Paralympic honour for swimming judge (From Swindon Advertiser)

Paralympic honour for swimming judge

9:30am Friday 13th July 2012 in News

EXPERIENCED swimming judge David Jones has been chosen to officiate in the Paralympic swimming competitions in London.

The 59-year-old, of Stratton, will ensure fair play at the Aquatics Centre during 10 days of international pool action between July 30 and August 8.

The Swindon Academy maths teacher, who is also a treasurer and coach at Wroughton Amateur Swimming Club, said it would be more challenging than the numerous able-bodied and disability galas at which he has officiated since 2006.

He said: “I’m delighted. I was surprised but delighted.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Obviously it’s more high- profile on TV and it’s over significantly more days.

“Normally it’s two days, three days, but this is over 10 days so you are on the poolside for longer.

“I went up to the Olympic trials in March, the first event in the new pool, and that was eight days, and that was the first time I had done anything more than four days.”

David, a father-of-two, from Stratton, is among 19 officials from the UK who were selected.

There are swimming competitions in 14 categories in total: 10 for the physical disabled, three for the sight-impaired, and one for the mentally disabled.

His main duties will be making sure the swimmers complete their strokes properly and do not break the rules, some of which are different for disabled swimmers.

David said: “Obviously you’ve got the swimming rules but because of their disability they cannot necessarily conform to the rules of swimming.

“For example, in breaststroke you have to finish with two hands but this might not be the case.”

David thinks Team GB might do well in the Paralympics.

He said: “Traditionally, we have been a strong side in swimming and I think the home advantage will help.”