Faye Rogers wins emotional Paralympic gold exactly three years after life-changing car crash

By James Toney in Paris

Exactly three years after the car crash that ended her Olympic dreams Teeside’s Faye Rogers struck Paralympic swimming gold.

In an alternative reality Rogers would be back at home watching these Games on television with an Olympic medal tucked safely away.

The 21-year-old competed in the Olympic trials three years ago but was injured in a car crash on her way to university just a few months later.

Her consultant said he could save her arm but not her swimming career - he was, thankfully, only half right.

Rogers was the quickest qualifier into the S10 100m butterfly final but needed to overhaul team-mate Callie-Ann Warrington, the eventual silver medallist, in the final 50 metres.

“It’s exactly three years as of now since my accident, so it’s a bit emotional," said Rogers, who is part of Aldi’s Nearest and Dearest programme in partnership with ParalympicsGB, helping to maximise support and minimise potential distractions for athletes so that they can focus on their performance.

"It’s a big full circle moment and I couldn’t be prouder of how far I’ve come. I couldn’t have asked for more from the last three years. Coming into para sport has been the best thing, I couldn’t be more grateful for this journey, and I have learned so much about myself.

“There are always days it feels like it’s never going to get any better, but it does. There’s always a way to adapt to stuff and overcome stuff. I’ve found over the last three years there’s nothing I can’t do; it might just look a little bit different.

"I could not have imagined this ever happening, it’s crazy and so cool. I’ve started getting messages off people in similar situations and it makes me so proud and grateful that my experiences are helping other people."

Rogers is studying biochemistry at the University of Aberdeen, where she is coached by Patrick Miley, who guided the career of a daughter Hannah, a three-time Olympian and double world medallist.

She won this event on her international debut at last year's World Championships in Manchester and has her sights now trained on Sophie Pascoe's long-standing 1:02.60 world record, viewed as one of para swimming landmark bests.

Rogers was back swimming just three months after her accident, Miley - one of Britain's most respected coaches - using the sport first as therapy and rehabilitation.

"I met Patrick before my accident and I was so excited about moving to Aberdeen to train with him," she added.

"Hannah was one of my heroes in the British swimming team, I loved the way she was nicknamed Smiley and just how much she seemed to love the sport.

"Swimming is my life and when I thought that would be taken away from me it was very hard to deal with."

Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024.