British teenage swimmer Iona Winnifrith has clinched her second gold medal at the European Para-swimming Championships held in Madeira, showing impressive performance by setting new British and European records. The 13-year-old won the SB7 100m breaststroke in one minute 29.91 seconds, continuing her success after an earlier victory in the SM7 200m individual medley. Winnifrith, who has her sights set on breaking the world record, was joined by fellow British swimmers Harry Stewart, Maisie Summers-Newton, and Mark Tompsett in securing top podium spots at the event.

This championship served as a crucial lead-up to the Paris Paralympics, preparing Team GB with several medals, including silver by Bruce Dee, William Ellard, Grace Harvey, and Megan Neave. The performance by these athletes underpins a strong setup for future international competitions.

Meanwhile, in Australia, 20-year-old swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan has emerged as a notable talent in the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games. O’Callaghan recently triumphed over Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle final at the Australian championships. Known for her efficiency in water and competitive drive, despite being less tall than her peers, O’Callaghan is coached by Michael Bohl, who has a history of training Olympic champions.

With a potential to enter six events at the Paris Olympics, including individual and relay races, O’Callaghan prepares to strengthen her international standing further during the Olympic trials in June. Her remarkable abilities have already earned her several accolades, setting the stage for a promising performance at the upcoming Games. Both Winnifrith and O’Callaghan are showcasing the strong pipeline of competitive swimmers at the international level.