Fabienne Andre

Started: She took up Para swimming at age 14. She began training as a wheelchair racer in 2018 and started competing in July 2019. "While competing at the CPISRA [Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association] World Games in Spain in August 2018 I was introduced to a wide range of sports other than swimming, so it provided a real insight into other sports and the elements needed to compete in them." (swimming.org, 28 Sep 2019) Reason: She got involved in Para swimming on the recommendation of a doctor after she had a major leg operation. She took up Para athletics to try something new. "I wanted to expand my sporting world. Initially, I was looking at trying both handcycling and wheelchair racing, as I was keen to do a triathlon, which would enable me to continue swimming too. I had become good friends with a few of the wheelchair racers, so felt this would be a good place to start. Later that year I was invited to try it out at the Weir Archer Academy [England] and something just clicked. I knew that wheelchair racing would be my new competitive focus and passion." (toyota.co.uk, 22 May 2020; swimming.org, 28 Sep 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Facebook page, 23 Jul 2021; theargus.co.uk, 22 Jun 2021) Awards: In 2019 she received the Special Recognition Award from the Weir Archer Academy in England. (weirarcher.co.uk, 16 Dec 2019; Facebook page, 08 Dec 2019) In 2018 she was named Swim England South East Region Disability Swimmer of the Year. (swimming.org, 28 Sep 2019) Additional Info: OCCUPATION She has worked as a hospital physiotherapy assistant for the National Health Service [NHS] in England. "Balancing work and training can be a challenge but a routine and good support network is key. A lot of athletes, when you get to this level, do not work as well but I really value my role and working for the NHS through the pandemic has really helped me, because it gives me another focus and allows me to switch off from training. I find that having the two different things to focus on, and having to be disciplined with my time, helps me ensure that I get the most out of every training session. I always look forward to training, either to start my day off or at the end of my working day. It is a challenge, and I do rely on a bit of help from my parents to be able to work pretty much full-time, train full-time and travel to and from London to train as well. It is quite a juggling act, and you have to be organised but I wouldn't have it any other way." (theargus.co.uk, 22 Jun 2021; toyota.co.uk, 22 May 2020) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served on the Swim England National Youth Advisory Panel. (swimming.org, 28 Sep 2019)