Patten takes silver at the World Open-Water Swimming Championships

Britain’s Cassie Patten took silver at the World Open-Water Swimming Championships in Seville to secure her spot in Beijing.

Her Stockport teammate Keri-Anne Payne finished eighth meaning she too will compete in the 10km open water event this summer.

Paralympic champion Natalie Du Toit of South Africa, finished fourth just four seconds behind the winner Larisa Ilchenko of Russia. Du Toit lost a leg in 2001 when she was hit by a car while riding her scooter. She has now made history by becoming the first amputee to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Many of you will surely have read about her compatriot, Oscar Pistorius, and his bid to be allowed to compete on the track wearing prosthetic blades at the Olympics. However Du Toit does not wear a prosthetic limb and is therefore allowed to compete.

It is the debut for open water swimming as an Olympic sport, and with Du Toit in the starting line up it is sure to be a hot ticket this summer.

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

This entry was posted in news and tagged . Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
Run England