Rebecca Lee

Read on find out more about Rebecca and her Swimming career:

How old were you when you started and what is your first memory of your sport? I learned to swim when I was 5 or 6. One of first big memories was my Dad asking me would I like to swim competitively, I asked what does competitively mean and when he explained I said…NO I don’t want to do that.

When did you first realize you had the potential to make it as an athlete? When I moved school at 14 I went with the school to a local swimming gala and won every event. I then went to the Scottish Junior Championship a few months later and became Junior Champion in the 4 events I had swum. I was also Scottish Junior Swimmer of the Year.

What are your best results so far (please list any records held)? I have broken 7 world records in my career. I hold the 200m Fly British Record and 50m Fly Scottish Record (which used to be held by Paralympic Champion).My best World Championship result is 3 Golds, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze. My best European Championship Result 6 Golds, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze.

What has been the highlight of your career? There has been lots of great highlights, 2006 was my best year:
- I won 9 Medals at the Europeans Championships.
- I was named Scottish Athletes Athlete of the Year, Scottish Swimmer of the Year and Swimmer of the Year by Scottish Disability Sport.
- I was also invited to the Queens Garden Party and to top all that off I was nominated along with Chris Hoy as a Sporting Hero with the Daily Record.

What has been your favourite competition venue to date and why? Budapest, Hungary - It was an outdoor pool in the sun and I did quite well there.

What has been your best sporting experiences so far? My first international competition was the European Championships and we broke the World Record in the Relay - watching the Flag going up the pole with the GB anthem playing. A few years later, I touched the wall first and became an individual champion standing on the podium myself, seeing the Flag go up the pole just for me.

And the one you would rather forget? World Championships in 2007, as I injured my neck the day before my big event and had to watch it being won in a time slower than mine.

Have you had to overcome any major challenges (injury, illness or other) to reach your level in sport? Yes all 3, but I think it has made me a stronger more determined person and makes your sporting story more interesting.

How many hours do spend training each day? Maximum of 5 hours, but normally 2-3.

Do you have time for other sports or hobbies? I try and make time… Drama, Snowboarding, Rock climbing.

How long have you been supported by TFIS and how do we help? 8 Years.

Which service/services provided by the TFIS have you made the most use of and how has it helped you? I have used them all at some point and each one of them has been helpful at different times.

Have you competed or trained in other countries where you have either been shocked or really impressed by the set up? If so, can you provide some details? I have trained and competed all over the world but the one that sticks in my mind is Australia. I trained there for 3 months and they had a 50m pool for every town (even if the town just had 200-300 people living in and around that place), and it opened at 5am.

Which athlete, past or present, do you admire? And why? Steve Redgrave, to have been at the top of his sport and best in the world for over 20 years. Also Lance Armstrong - winning the Tour de France more times than any other cyclist and with over coming cancer.

What's the best piece of advice you have been given? Growl!

Where do you get your inspiration and motivation from? Just wanting to b the best motivates me and believing you can be or are the best.

What is your ultimate ambition? To be Happy, Healthy and Be at London in 2012.

Do you have to make any sacrifices to be the best that you can be in your sport? If so, what are they and why do you make them? I have been lucky that most of my friends have the same ambitions, so we are all aiming for the same thing. There have been a lot of things you don’t get to do, but it has all been worth it in the end.