Swimming ace Siobhan Marie-O’Connor believes the Manchester swim meet can inspire next generation of swimmers.

Olympic silver medallist Siobhan Marie-O’Connor hopes that the next generation of swimmers can be successful and carry Great Britain’s hopes for the future.

The 21-year-old competed at the 2017 Manchester International Swim Meeting at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

The event took place across two days, October 21st and the 22nd. The event featured eight members of the 2017 World Championships Team GB squad including world record holder in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, Adam Peaty, who was awarded an MBE on October 11th.

Marie O’Connor took part in only one event during competition. She partook in the 100m butterfly race finishing third with a time of 59.77s. She picked up a bronze medal for her efforts.

While speaking to Quays News Siobhan discussed her performance: “It’s my first competition of the season so I’m really happy with how it went, definitely things to work on. It’s good just to get in and give it a hard hit out this year, I’m pleased with my times and looking forward to the rest of the season”

The 21-year-old has qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Australia but wants to qualify for more events this year.

“I’m hopefully going to the trials in December, I’ve only qualified for the Commonwealth Games but I’ve qualified for the 200m medley, last time in Glasgow I did quite a few different events so I’m hoping to qualify for more events and basically have a busier programme for Gold Coast 2018.”

This year’s Manchester swim meet saw a lot more young people taking part and younger spectators gaining a real interest in swimming.

O’Connor spoke of the importance of inspiring the next generation and improving the next batch of young swimmers coming through the ranks.

“I think it’s massive I remember it being us a few years ago, I remember being in heats with people I looked up to and I think it’s great, it’s all about inspiring that next generation and in a few years they’ll be the ones at major meets and international meets.

It’s all about getting swimming improving, Olympics on Olympics, It is really good to see new swimmers coming through as it keeps us older swimmers on our toes!”

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