A YOUNG swimmer is making a splash after being selected to compete for her country in an international event.
Jay McCabe, a student at St Aidan’s Academy, Darlington, will swim for Team GB at the international in Berlin.
She hopes success there will help her secure a place in the Para-Olympic squad which heads off to Rio in 2016.
The 13-year-old was born with half a right arm, a similar disability to 2012 Team GB swimmer Amy Marren, and tried a variety of sports before discovering her talent for swimming three years ago.
She now competes in the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m at all strokes but has a particular passion for butterfly.
Jay trains eight times a week including at 6am and after school. “I really like Amy because she has the same disability but has done really well,” the 13-year-old said.
“I am looking forward to competing in Berlin and hope to do well as I have been putting in a lot of training and need to perform so I can go to Rio. I have just got my new race suit, which carries the Union flag, and it makes me and my family feel really proud when I wear it.”
St Aidan’s Academy principal Nicole Gibbon said: “It is incredible for the whole school to have such a high calibre swimmer in the ranks.
“Jay’s success lifts the aspirations of all students and shows what can be achieved with hard work and commitment. All staff and students wish Jay tremendous luck in Berlin later this month.”
