A SWIMMING pool has been renamed in honour of Warrington’s gold medal-winning Olympian Kathleen Dawson.

The 23-year-old swimmer, from Great Sankey, claimed gold for Team GB in the 4x100m medley relay during the summer’s delayed Tokyo 2020 games.

Warrington Guardian:

Now a pool at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub – located only a stone’s throw from Great Sankey High School, of which she is a former pupil – has been dedicated to her success.

A ceremony was held at the facility earlier today, Monday, in order to mark the opening of the new Kathleen Dawson Swimming Pool with the help of pupils from Chapelford Community Primary School.

Warrington Guardian:

Kathleen said: "I learnt to swim with Livewire here at the Great Sankey swimming pool.

"I just want to say to everyone who is learning to swim to keep going as it’s an essential life skill and one day you could end up with a gold medal around your neck."

The Mayor of Warrington Cllr Maureen Creaghan also unveiled a plaque celebrating the occasion.

Warrington Guardian:

She added: "It is a privilege to be here today to meet Kathleen and present her with this honour.

"Kathleen and Team GB’s win at the Tokyo Olympic Games was amazing to watch, and we are so proud of all they have accomplished.

"Kathleen’s success in the pool, alongside her dedication and hard working attitude, will inspire so many young people to work hard to achieve their dreams."

Warrington Guardian:

The plaque will be displayed at the hub alongside pictures of Dawson in action.

Cllr Tony Higgins, Warrington Borough Council's cabinet member for leisure and community said: "It’s fantastic to see Kathleen back here at Great Sankey where her journey to becoming an Olympic champion began.

"The renaming of the pool in Kathleen’s name is a fitting honour as we have invested so much to make the hub a high class sporting facility.

"It looks a lot different to when Kathleen learned to swim here and I hope her success will inspire the next generation of swimmers to follow in her footsteps."

Livewire managing director Emma Hutchinson added: "Livewire is very proud to have played a part in her Olympic journey by teaching her to swim when she was younger and we were all cheering her on in the summer.

"We’re delighted the pool has been renamed in Kathleen’s honour and look forward to teaching many more youngsters to swim here – perhaps even another gold medal winner – for years to come."