Retiring Paralympic champion Liz Johnson thanks University of Bath swimming coach
Multiple Paralympic medallist Liz Johnson has praised University of Bath Head Swimming Coach Mark Skimming after announcing her retirement from the sport.
Johnson worked with Skimming at the Sports Training Village for four years in the build-up to London 2012, where she won a bronze medal in the SB6 100m breaststroke.
That completed her Paralympic medal collection in the event, adding to the silver she won at Athens 2004 and her memorable gold medal at Beijing 2008.
Johnson has decided not to bid for a fourth Games this summer after undergoing hernia surgery in December, which led to her missing too much winter training.
“Unfortunately the trials have simply come too soon,” she said. “Whilst this presents a big change in my life and the direction that this year will take for me, I can’t be sad. I’ve been extremely privileged to be able to do something that I love and compete at the highest level for almost 20 years.
Thank you! Will have fond memories of my time at Bath and grateful to be a member of the @TeamBath family 😊 https://t.co/QcDUvfammK
— Liz Johnson (@lizjohnson_gb) April 20, 2016
“I’ve been fortunate to live in some of the best cities, train at the some of the best clubs and work with some of the most successful coaches that the country has to offer.
“I’m full of gratitude for Billy Pye, Mark Skimming, Mick Massey and Mark Rose, and the clubs that I spent the majority of my career representing – Swim Swansea, University of Bath and City of Manchester (COMAST) – for providing me with the support, tools and the environment to get the most out of myself.”
Liz Johnson’s full statement is available to read here (external link).
