Paralympic World Cup

Held in Manchester 9th & 10th May

The fourth annual Paralympic World Cup was held in Manchester on 9th May and 10th May  This is the biggest multi-sport competition for Disabled athletes outside of the Paralympic Games.  Four sessions of swimming were spread over two days and the audience was treated to a feast of world-class swimming ahead of the Paralympic Games in September.

 Wyre forest swimming Club members Fran O’Connor (17) and Claire Cashmore (19) competed in the event.  The competition was run on a multi-disability basis with competitors being awarded points according to how close they got to the World Record for their particular classification.  Fran came 18^th overall in the 50 metre Freestyle and 24^th overall in the 100 metre Freestyle races.  She recorded times that she has beaten only in the final Paralympic trials two weeks previously. This was Fran’s inaugural appearance in the World Cup and it provided her with invaluable experience on the World stage.

Claire used the event to hone her competitive skills as she continues her preparations for appearing in her second Paralympic Games.