Sam signs off with a splash

Sam Pattinson, 24, has hung up his goggles after competing for over ten years. His announcement came after a successful trip to Southampton for the Down’s Syndrome European swimming Championships.
Sam and his mum Carol said: “Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported Sam during his swimming career.
“We have had an amazing time and travelled the world and loved meeting new people and making lifelong friendships.
“A special thanks to all his swim coaches who have helped him throughout his career namely, Andrea Manson, Loris Jamieson, Laura Vickers, Sandra Proudfoot and Ben Higson who have all made a huge impact on Sam’s life.”
A former winner of the Annandale and Eskdale Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2012 and the Young Sports Personality of the Year winner in 2008, Sam has competed in four World Championships for people with Downs Syndrome in Portugal in 2008, Taiwan in 2010, Italy in 2012 and Mexico in 2014.
He has also competed at numerous local, regional, national and international events including the Special Olympics in Leicester in 2009 and Bath in 2013 and was also a member of the Great Britain team at the European Special Olympics in Belgium in 2014.