Freya Anderson

Most elite swimmers could probably be classed as ‘water babies’ but Team England’s Freya Anderson certainly doesn’t fall into that category.

The 21-year-old may have been racing competitively since she was nine, but detests swimming in the sea or any open water, and used to have such a dislike for her early lessons in the pool she would cling to her mum in a bid to avoid the water.

Anderson has also had to develop into an international swimmer, whilst being allergic to chlorine.

But her early childhood teething troubles with the sport are long forgotten now, and ever since winning the 100m freestyle at the 2017 World Junior Championships, the national team has had a new swimming star on its hands. 

12 months ago she made her Olympic debut in Tokyo where along with her Team GB teammates, she won 4x100m mixed medley gold after racing in the heats. Now Anderson will get to experience a home multi-sport Games for the first time.