Things are going swimmingly in the pool for Jim

Nov 5 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

Things are going swimmingly in the pool for Jim

SWIMMING champion Jim Anderson has added yet more medals to his already bulging trophy cabinet with some impressive displays in the European Disability Swimming Championships.

The Broxburn swimmer, nicknamed Jim the Swim because of his prowess in the pool, collected a gold in the 50m free, a bronze in the 200m free and silver medals in the 50m back and relay events.

It was an incredible medal haul for Jim, especially considering the championships in Reykjavik, Iceland, were the first time he had competed in a relay event.

Jim, who has cerebral palsy, will add the medals to the incredible 17 medals he has from five Paralympics stretching back to Barcelona 1992.

The 46-year-old’s haul includes six gold, nine silver and two bronze medals.

Jim, who picked up the Scottish Sports Personality of the Year award in 2004 beating off competition from Chris Hoy and Colin Montgomerie, collected four medals at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.

But despite the fact he will be a year short of his 50th birthday by the time the next Paralympics are held in London in 2012 the swimmer says he plans to be there to take on the world’s best again.

His mum Brenda told the Courier: “The British squad are hoping he will keep going until London 2012. That is what he is training for.

“He is also looking forward to the world championships next year in Holland.

“Jim loves it and has been all round the world with his swimming. He still enjoys it as much and has no plans to retire yet.”

Jim, who was awarded a MBE in 2004, is also facing a trip to Buckingham Palace at the end of the month where he is due to collect an OBE.

But before that the Broxburn swimmer will represent Scotland at the British Shortcourse Championships in Sheffield, where he will compete in the 50m free, 100m free and 50m back stroke.