Overcoming Adversity: Kathleen Dawson Reflects on Qualifying for Paris 2024 Despite Back Injury.

Aquatics General

Overcoming Adversity: Kathleen Dawson Reflects on Qualifying for Paris 2024 Despite Back Injury.

Kathleen Dawson achieved a relay gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics but faced a challenging three-year period dealing with a career-threatening back injury.

26 years old, Kathleen Dawson from Fife has secured her place at the upcoming Paris Games after winning the 100m backstroke at the British Championships.

"I can't believe I'm going to a second Olympics," she shared with BBC Sport. "It's a very emotional thought. With the experience and knowledge I've gained from this rollercoaster, you can't take anything too seriously. I'm swimming up and down in a pool, but it means the world to me at the same time."

Dawson, who represents the University of Stirling, was part of the successful mixed 4x100m medley team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. However, she was already battling a bulging disc that caused sciatica.

"Straight after the Olympics my back said, 'I'm done now' and gave up on me," she explained. "I couldn't even bend over to put socks on. It was hard just getting out of bed."

Her time of 59.81 in the heats marked her first sub-60 seconds since 2021, and a 59.74 in the final sealed her return to the Olympic stage.