I last spoke with Faye Rogers in the Graduation Edition of The Gaudie, where she told me, ‘Medals would be nice!’ As I sit with the University of Aberdeen’s latest gold medal winner, I ask about an unforgettable Summer in Paris, at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
“Tell me about the moment you saw your name first on the timing board.”
“I can see my competitors around me when I’m swimming, so I had a good idea I was near the front. With just ten meters to go I could still see people around me; I’d usually like to be further ahead!”
“It was a massive feeling of relief at first, I’d been making myself so nervous; for the past year this was all I had been thinking about. It was great to get to the wall and think- it’s done!”
“The excitement came when I was on the podium, I was ushered there quickly after the race, hoping I wasn’t going to be disqualified for anything- that would’ve been awful!”
“It was only when I stood on the podium with the national anthem I thought- how cool is this? I could then see my family, for the first time in a month.”
“Your whole word depends on that minute, or at least that’s how it feels! With this being my debut games, it was a culmination of 14-years of training.”
Faye finished the 100M Butterfly in the S10 category with a time of 1:05.84, just ahead of fellow Brit Callie-Ann Warrington, making the race a 1-2 for Team GB.
“How was the dynamic with Callie-Ann, were you teammates or competitors?”
“We are teammates first and foremost, if I weren’t winning, I’d want it to be Callie-Ann. As soon as you get on the block, you are competitors, and everyone wants to get their hands on the wall first.”
“To have a GB 1-2 was very special. Although we don’t see each other much, knowing Callie-Ann is the second fasted swimmer motivates me in training. I’m aware she’s always getting faster, and it keeps me on my toes.”
Beyond the sporting achievement, Faye was proud to have promoted the Paralympic ethos in Paris and back home in Teesside.
“It was so cool to hear that so many people I know watched the race, who may never normally have watched Paralympic sport”
“There was 17,000 people watching the swimming, so many people are showing an interest in Paralympics now, I hope I can help the sport progress in the right direction.”
“I had a moment back home where someone approached me and explained that watching me race inspired the person to involve their daughter- who had a disability- in sport and exercise. To have that impact, even on just one person, is really lovely.”
Paris faced numerous bouts of criticism for the facilities on offer to athletes, so I asked Faye about her experiences in the Olympic Village.
“To me it was really cool, you couldn’t walk down the street without passing someone very famous!”
“The whole venue was really accessible, which was brilliant to see. I hope it is something that can be applied elsewhere.”
“The chocolate muffins were 100% worth the hype! I waited until after I competed and they were amazing, and I managed to sneak one out for my family to try!”
Faye now has some downtime to focus on her last year of university before training commences again for next year’s World Championships in Singapore.
