Student swims her way to silver in the Paralympics

31 Aug 2021

Immunology student Grace Harvey has won a Silver medal in the women's SB5 100m breaststroke at the Paralympics in Tokyo

Grace Harvey also came sixth in the SM6 individual medley final earlier in the week, and will also be competing in more events over the next few days.

From Ware in Hertfordshire, the swimmer, who has cerebral palsy and began swimming when she was four, has no function in her lower legs, swimming without a kick and co-ordination difficulties in her upper limbs.

Dr Thomas Nuhse, her academic advisor, said: “Grace’s enthusiasm for science and the hard work she has put in alongside her full-on training has been an inspiration.

“All of us here at Manchester are thrilled to watch her compete at the Paralympics and are cheering her on. Go Grace!”

After watching the 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games, she decided she wanted to compete and joined a club at age nine.

The swimmer follows a gruelling training regime: eight pool sessions – around 16 hours, three gym sessions and two indoor rowing sessions.

“I wish I had more time to go home and see my family and friends. Swimming doesn’t really leave me much free time – but it’s worth it,” she told the University’s My Manchester News last year.

“My belief in the hard work will come out on top. But I also want to do myself and my family proud,” added the University of Manchester sports scholar, a scheme which supports high performing athletes.

In her first year of study she was a full-time student and a full-time athlete, though in her second year she went part-time and found the balance easier.

This year she completed her second half of the second year and in September will be returning full time to finish her third year.