A brave Burnham-On-Sea swimmer who suffered a fractured spinal column in a serious accident seven years ago is battling against the odds with the aim of winning a gold medal at next year’s Beijing Olympics.
Peter Ross, 26, did all his early swimming at Burnham swimming pool, where his late father, Laurie, was the pool’s manager for several years.
But his dreams came to an abrupt halt in 2000 when he suffered a fractured spinal column that required major reconstructive surgery.
For a while it looked as though the injury would cruelly end what could have been a glittering swimming future.
But he battled on to enjoy great success, winning county and regional titles and even medals in the British Student Swimming Championships. He has also represented England and competed in the finals at the British Swimming Championships.
Now, his dream is to win Olympic Gold in Beijing next year. He has recently teamed up with his sister, Beth, who is a swimming coach, to form ‘Team Ross’ (both are pictured above) with the intention of capturing the medal.
“Since his accident in 2000, the last few years have seen a tremendous recovery beyond the surgeon’s best expectations and now Peter has his sights set on the sporting world’s greatest aspiration, Olympic Gold,” a spokesman for Peter told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“He trains in the pools in Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, Sussex for up to 18 hours a week. He also completes three gym sessions and a number of flexibility sessions. His commitment is all the more impressive as he also has a full-time job as a school maths teacher.”
In order to get ready for the Olympics, Peter intends to swim at the Sussex County Championships in Crawley during February and March, then take part in the GB Championships at Manchester in March and several other events before finally taking part in the British Olympic Trials in Sheffield in March next year.”
Back here in Burnham, various fundraising events are being planned for the next few months in order to try and help Peter meet some of his annual £5,450 costs.
Tom Ashton, who is leading on the fundraising, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “He’s an incredible man, battling the odds, and we will do everything we can to help him achieve success.”
