News story

Olympic star joins Minister to make a Big Splash

Swimming heroes recognised.

From:
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and The Rt Hon Hugh Robertson
Published
16 May 2011
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe joined the Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson聽last week聽at the House of Commons to launch the .

The five-time Olympic champion presented awards to members of the public who have performed inspirational feats in swimming, ranging from heroic life-savers to those who learned to swim against the odds.

The event was hosted by Blue Peter鈥檚 Andy Akinwolere, who is overcoming his own fear of water to take part in a , and is also being backed by celebrities including Gary Lineker, Graham Norton, Matt Baker and Gabby Logan.

The Big Splash has been designed by and the BBC to inspire the UK to swim in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

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Published 16 May 2011