Sky Scholar Siobhan-Marie O'Connor back in UK after winning silver at 2016 Rio Olympics
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 24/03/17 11:26am
Swimmer Siobhan-Marie O'Connor arrived home from Rio this week alongside her triumphant GB team-mates, following their glorious efforts at the Olympics.
Four years after her self-confessed "whirlwind" experiences at London 2012 as the youngest swimmer in the GB squad, the wiser and more confident 20-year-old from Bath returned to grace the biggest stage in sport and win a stunning silver in the 200m individual medley.
Hungarian Katinka Hosszu may have become Olympic champion, but the Sky Academy Sports Scholar pushed her old foe all the way to smash the British record and was only pipped to gold by a fingertip after a thrilling finish.
O'Connor, whose parents Sean and Lindsey and younger brother Ciaran had been cheering in the stands, said: "I've dreamed of winning an Olympic medal everyday since I was seven. Not many words can describe this feeling.
"It was amazing. I probably had my most consistent block of work ever leading up to this so I was really confident coming in as sometimes I can have disruptions.
"I felt in a really good place. My team have been amazing at keeping me fit and healthy in training. In the past I've gone out too hard and tried to really sit with Katinka and haven't had a finish.
"When I turned on the breaststroke, I was surprised I was quite close. When I looked around and saw the time I was over the moon because I didn't think I had that time in me. I'm really pleased to push her as hard as I could."
GB's swimmers secured one gold in Rio - Adam Peaty in the 100m breaststroke - with O'Connor one of five silver medallists, while Britain became the first country to improve on a home medal tally at the next Games, their 67 beating the London 2012 haul by two.
It was an incredible achievement and there were emotional scenes at Heathrow on Tuesday with O'Connor part of the 320-strong passenger list on board the Boeing 747 with a gold nose cone and a "victoRIOus" livery.
O'Connor, supported on the Sky Scholarship scheme since 2012, said: "What a welcome home. So proud to be a part of this amazing team. Thanks so much Team GB."
Her efforts are all the more impressive considering she was diagnosed with the debilitating colon condition ulcerative colitis after the London Games.
"She has a condition but she never moans," said her father after seeing her daughter shine in the final.
"If she could stay fit and well I was hoping she'd get a silver medal and she showed it. But I didn't expect the time."
Her grandmother added: "She is a very determined young lady - once she sets her heart on something, she will work and she is determined she is going to do it."
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS...
AUG 27-28: Quillan Isidore, British Championships, Derby
SEPT 6: Mark English, Roberto, Italy
SEPT 7-18: Rio Paralympics
SEPT 10: Mark English, Great North City Games
