SWIMMER Kathleen Dawson MBE has taken time to gaze at the Olympic gold medal she owns before aiming for another at Paris 2024.
Despite being in pain, University of Stirling backstroker Dawson reached the pinnacle of her sport at Tokyo 2020 and played her part in a dramatic mixed medley relay victory in world record time on debut alongside James Guy, Adam Peaty and Anna Hopkin.
But since then, a bulging disc in her spine and subsequent sciatica down both of her legs left the former Great Sankey High School student fighting for her future and questioning her place on Team GB at the Games.
“There were definitely points when it was touch and go,” said Dawson, 26, whose recovery has been powered by access to world-class physiotherapy made possible by the National Lottery.
“I’d get these sharp, shooting pains when I was doing underwater kicks and it was the act of swimming that was giving me the most pain. I could have dealt with it if I was a normal person but swimming made it worse, unfortunately.”
READ MORE> Former Cardinal Newman student chasing more Olympic glory
Dawson, a product of Warriors of Warrington Swimming Club after learning to swim with LiveWire at Great Sankey Swimming Baths, drew on a deep well of resilience to make her comeback to the global stage in February, reaching the final of the 100m backstroke at the World Championships in Doha.
“I know myself and I’m extremely resilient,” said Dawson, who was born in Scotland but moved to Warrington at the age of three.
“There was nothing that was going to stop me from the goal that I had set myself and that’s something I will carry forward into the next four years, as well.”
Dawson is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.
Dawson hit lifetime best form in 2021, with her 100m personal best standing at a national record time of 58.08 seconds from the European Championships.
She is a different athlete this time around with her victory at April’s trials coming in 59.74, meaning her expectations for Paris have been radically adjusted.
Regan Smith broke the world record at her own trials last month and Dawson admits she is playing a different game to the American.
“I guess I’ve not really thought about it, that I’m going to be racing against these girls that are insanely fast,” said Dawson.
“They seem like they’re in a completely different league from the one I’m swimming in right now.
“Maybe if I’d been doing the times I was three years ago, I’d be more aware of it and say, ‘right, I’m going to stick it to the girls.’
“But right now, I’m happy to watch them because it is history being made. I’m in the best position I have been in the last three years. I’m just going into this looking to get a season’s best and enjoy myself.”
She will attack the 100m heats on Monday, hoping to reach the semi-finals later the same day and the final on Tuesday.
Team GB will again aim for a podium finish in relay events, particularly the mixed medley, but Dawson will face competition from Medi Harris to make the eventual line-up.
“We still don’t know anything about that, it will be decided on the day,” said Dawson.
“I still have hope to be a part of it and it would be a great experience to be part of it. I’d love to do it again.”
There are a number of first-time Olympians in the Team GB swimming squad, including Harris and Dawson’s training partners Katie Shanahan and Keanna MacInnes, with the Kirkcaldy native in a position to offer sound advice.
“I guess I’ve just told them that it’s the Olympics and you should be proud you’ve made it, but just remember that at the end of the day, the pool is still 50 metres,” said Dawson.
“Don’t turn it into some monster you should be scared of - just do what you’ve been doing every single day.”
With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here