Paralympic Success
Mearns Castle High School is very proud of Andrew Mullen’s fantastic swimming success. Read more about his achievements below! In April 2012 Andrew Mullen (then in S4) was selected to represent Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympic Games in three swimming events.
A fantastic achievement all the more so as Andrew was the youngest member of the GB swimming squad, being selected over existing world record holders.
Scottish Swimming’s Disability Performance Manager – Paul Wilson described Andrew as an athlete with “Excellent attitude, drive and determination are naturally in the makeup of this swimmer.”
Andrew first started training with Temple Swimming Club for the Disabled in Glasgow when he was seven years old.
He has now been competing for over four years and currently swims with Ren96.
When Andrew is in full training that can involve him in 4 hours per day, 7 days a week either swimming or in the gym and to do this it means a get up time of 4 30am!
One of his proudest achievements include winning a silver medal in the 50m Butterfly (S5) at the 2011 IPC European Championships in Berlin, Germany, when he was just 14 years old.
Obviously his London 2012 Paralympic experience tops all of that where he reached the finals in all 3 events (50m Butterfly Backstroke and Freestyle) achieving 4th position in both the Butterfly and Backstroke events.
Andrew already holds several records and achievements
These include:
- Fastest Breaststroke swimmer in GB
- Fastest Butterfly, Backstroke & Individual Medley swimmer in GB and Europe
- His GB Records include: 200m Individual Medley, 50m Backstroke, 100m Breast Stroke
- Andrew’s European Records include 100m Individual Medley, 50m Butterfly,
Most recently Andrew was involved in the World Championships in August 2013 in Montreal.
Yet more success for him as he achieved a Silver Medals in both the 50m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley (Both GB records) and a Bronze Medal in 50m Butterfly (European record).He also came 4th in 100m Freestyle.
In the last year Andrews times have improved at every competition and he is now in the top three paralympic swimmers in world in his best three events which are 200 Individual Medley, 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly.
He has even been courting Royal attention when he and his mum were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace In June 2013.
Looking ahead to the future? Andrew’s main focus and aim is to medal in the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016.
Along the way he is sure to be involved in European Championships in 2014.
And as very few of us will be able to support him in person in Rio (sadly!) there is a very special opportunity the year before, as the World Championships will be held in Glasgow in August 2015 at the newly refurbished Toll Cross swimming venue.
I know many pupils, staff and parents have been disappointed that Paralympic swimming is not featuring in the Commonwealth Games but this opportunity will give all of us who are part of Mearns Castle another fantastic chance to support and cheer on an amazing young man who has brought so much to our school community.
Well done Andrew for all you have achieved so far and we all look forward to your future successes!
