World record holding swimmer Kirsty is sent to CoventryOlympic gold medallist and world record holding swimmer Kirsty Coventry has achieved a long-standing ambition by visiting the city which shares her name.
The 27-year-old backstroke specialist, who is one of the medal favourites for 2012, was given a tour of the city, met council leaders and stayed at the Ricoh Arena, which will host Olympic football during London 2012. It was not the first time Coventry had planned a trip to the city. “I was due to come here when I was a teenager but dislocated my knee playing hockey a couple of weeks before so couldn’t come,” she said. “My team mates brought me a swimsuit back with the Coventry crest on it, which was great. I have swum in Manchester before but the itinerary did not let me take enough time out, so while I was over here this time I wanted to be certain to visit. “It has been great. I visited the 50 metre pool and had a tour of the Ricoh Arena. It is obviously a city which has a great sporting and Olympic heritage and they made me feel very welcome indeed. “It is good to have made a link just before 2012.” Tom Clift, Coventry and Warwickshire partnership manager for the 2012 Games, said Kirsty’s visit could not have been better timed. “We have obviously been aware of Kirsty for a few years so to make contact with her has been fantastic. Given the unique namesake, we invited her to visit Coventry and to have a look round. “We didn’t realise that she had come close to visiting a few years ago, but are delighted we could show her what the city has to offer in the build up to London 2012 and beyond. “We have a few aspiring 2012 competitors who we hope will represent the city at London 2012, but we know that one Coventry will be there.” Kirsty became the first Zimbabwean swimmer to reach a semi-final at the Olympics in 2000 aged just 16 and while still at school. She has also been named Zimbabwe's Sports Woman of the Year three times. Councillor John Mutton, leader of Coventry City Council, presented Kirsty with a history of the city – and also a copy for her father. He said: “I think everyone will now follow Kirsty’s fortunes between now and London 2012. She is a lovely girl who really appreciated being shown around the city. “She said she would be happy to return and it would be great to see her again in 2012 complete with a gold medal - or maybe a silver medal if she is competing against a British swimmer!” ENDS Media enquiries: Simon Gilbert Advent Communications 2 Edison Building Electric Wharf Sandy Lane Coventry CV1 4JA Tel: 024 7663 3636 http://www.advent- # # # Advent Communications is a well-established public relations consultancy based in Coventry. In ten years it has built a reputation as a practical provider of news driven PR to a range of industry sectors. End
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