Huntly para swimmer Tegan dreams of competing for team GB at Paralympics after gaining international classification to qualify for continental meetings
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The dream of competing for Team GB in the Paralympics could become a reality for Huntly schoolgirl Tegan Davidson.
For the record-breaking 16-year-old para swimmer has returned from her first overseas competitive trip to France to gain the classification to compete in international events.
Having claimed a string of Scottish titles and records and competed at British Championships, the Gordon Schools pupil hopes to be selected for competitions abroad from 2024 onwards, and could come into reckoning for the Paris Paralympics next year.
“We went to France to get international classification so I can swim abroad for Team GB,” Tegan said. “I need to redo it next February and hopefully from there I will be able to compete further afield.
“The Paralympics is probably my main aim now. I’m going to work hard and try to make Paris 2024, and if we don’t get to that then I know I’ll just have to put that extra bit of effort in to get to Los Angeles for the next Games.
“Because of my age I’ve got time to make it in the future but I would love to make the team next year.”
She also competed in France, winning one heat and reaching three finals.
Tegan has a condition known as pseudoachondroplasia, which affects her limbs and joints, and has been registered as a para swimmer to compete in national events since 2016.
She began swimming at a very young age but revealed that she wasn’t able to progress through the levels without the presistence of her mum Jenny, who has been a huge influence in her career.
“Because swimming is a non-weight bearing sport it’s better for me. Anything weight-bearing causes me heaps of pain.
“I can’t remember when I started swimming but when I took lessons they wouldn’t let me move up to the next level because I couldn’t touch the floor of the pool.
“Mum pushed and pushed, she said that I would never be able to touch the floor. I love swimming and was able to carry on and eventually enter competitions. I’m proud of what I have achieved.”
Her parents have helped Tegan progress by transporting her to training across the country. She swims twice a week at her local Huntly pool, and is part of the University of Aberdeen Performance squad training twice a week, as well as sessions with the Scottish Para team in Stirling each month.
Tegan currently holds Scottish S5 records for both short course and long course at 50m freestyle, as well as 100m free style short course and 50m backstroke long course.
