Sophie Pascoe MNZM - Paralympian swimmer

Sophie Pascoe is a professional woman’s Paralympic swimmer who has represented New Zealand many times from a very young age. Sophie has overcome many challenges in her life. Has had and continues to have an amazing career, winning numerous sporting medals from many various swimming events globally.

 

Sophie was born and raised in Christchurch where she discovered her passion for swimming at the expense of losing the bottom half of her left leg in a tragic accident. This event did not hold Sophie back and in fact motivated her into becoming a world class Paralympic swimmer. In doing so Sophie has made her family, friends and New Zealanders everywhere extremely proud of her tenacity and determination. Sophie started swimming at the age of seven at Kings swim school where she started her swimming career. Sophie undertook one to one training that soon showed everyone that she was an exceptional swimmer with a remarkable talent.

 

Sophie later on entered in the CCS Independence Games where her incredible talent was soon spotted by her current coach Roly Crichton. Sophie was told that she could join the QE2 Swim Club who would train her to compete in the Paralympics representing New Zealand. Sophie worked hard on her strict kept swimming regime and in doing so won lots of competitions for her age group around Christchurch. Later on inspired by her grandfathers declining health and a desire to let him see how successful her swimming career had become Sophie wanted to do him proud by attending the IPC Durban games in 2006. Her training paid of as she won a bronze medal thus proving to everyone what huge potential she had. The next step for Sophie was to train for the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, after two grueling years and at the tender age of fifteen, Sophie secured three gold medals, a silver and a new world record. Sophie continues to perform at a very high level recently winning three gold medals and three silver medals at the 2012 London Paralympic games.

 

Sophie is an inspiration to everyone and particularly to those who have suffered life-changing injuries. Sophie refuses to see her disability as an obstacle to success overcoming real adversity and in doing so becoming a strong and positive role model for all competitive swimmers in NZ and globally. To find out even more about Sophie and news on her upcoming book click here.