Last summer, Faye Rogers wrote her name in the history books when she was crowned Paralympic Champion in the 100m butterfly in her debut games. Since then, she has gone from strength to strength, stunning at the recent Aquatics GB Championships where she broke 14 records in a single week, including two world records in the 200m butterfly.
With her sights now set on the World Championships in Singapore this September, we sat down with the 22-year-old para-athlete to chat through her journey and find out what it takes to make it to the top.
A love for the water
Faye’s journey into swimming began at the age of five, when her mum enrolled her in lessons, and it didn’t take long for her competitive spirit to shine through.
“I did swimming lessons with a friend whose older brother had joined the swimming club.
“I remember kicking up such a fuss when my friend was allowed to go to the club with her brother, but I hadn’t been asked.”
After some persuasion from a young Faye, her mum approached the club and asked if Faye could join.
“I was by far the littlest there, but I absolutely loved it,” she told us.
From there, Faye’s passion for the sport only grew. She began competing at nine and qualified for her first nationals at 14. By the time she was 17, she had qualified for the 2020 Olympic trials.
“I was so excited to give it my all at Olympic trials, so I was pretty gutted when it got postponed because of covid.”
After months of disrupted training, Faye showed up for the trials a year later than planned and caught the eye of coach Patrick Miley.
“I just remember him congratulating me on a really gutsy swim and asking if I’d considered Aberdeen as a university choice, as that is where he coached – and funnily enough, I had!”
The accident that changed everything
Just three short months after Olympic trials, Faye was set to start her university life in Aberdeen and start training with Patrick.
“The plan was to train in the morning and then drive up to Aberdeen in the afternoon with all my stuff,” she explained.
Faye’s plans were cut short that morning when she was involved in a serious car accident on her way to training. The accident left her with a complex open fracture in her right arm, multiple dislocations, and a severed ulnar nerve.
“Initially, I think everyone was avoiding speaking about swimming because they knew it wasn’t looking good. When I did eventually speak to a doctor about it properly, I was told I would likely never swim competitively again.”
“I remember walking out of that consultation and saying to my mum, ‘I am going to swim again – watch me.’”
Defying odds
12 weeks after her accident, Faye found herself back in the pool – not to train, but to do rehab exercises.
“At that point, I really had nothing to lose, so I told my mum I was going to try and swim a length.
“Don’t get me wrong, it felt terrible, but when mum said it didn’t look that different, that gave me hope.”
With the support of her coach and a relentless work ethic, Faye began to adapt her technique, building strength on her left side and learning to balance her stroke. Eventually, she returned to competitive swimming – but not without challenges.
Her impairment meant she was being disqualified for not meeting technical rules, like touching the wall with both hands. That’s when someone suggested para swimming.
“I hadn’t even considered it,” she admitted. “But if it meant I could race without being disqualified, why not?” Within a year of her accident, she was classified and competing at her first World Series event – where she won gold in the 100m butterfly.
A Paralympic dream reimagined
Faye’s rapid rise in para swimming led to her selection for the World Championships, where she won three medals. At that stage, the Paralympics started to seem possible.
“I think I’d spent so long trying to forget my dream of making the Olympics after the accident. But suddenly, the Paralympics became my new dream, and it all felt possible again.”
On the third anniversary of her accident, Faye found herself in Paris, claiming gold in the 100m butterfly and being crowned Paralympic Champion.
“That journey from Worlds to Paralympics and winning gold was so surreal and overwhelming.
“It all happened so fast, and I honestly feel like I’m still processing it,” she expressed.
Balancing books and blocks
Alongside her busy training and competition schedule, Faye is also a university student – a balance that has proven beneficial.
“I stand by the fact that I couldn’t do one without the other. Swimming gives me such a good outlet to switch off and relax.
“I perform so much better in exams if I’ve been able to swim in the morning and it works the other way around too.
“I was studying for exams during the Aquatics GB Championships, and I think that helped me stay relaxed. I didn’t have time to overthink my races.”
Faye’s focus on her mindset has been key to her recent successes. After struggling with nerves in Paris, Faye has been working on the mental side of her performance.
“Coming out of Paris, I was absolutely exhausted mentally, so I knew that I needed to work on my emotions.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work around staying actively relaxed, and I’ve felt the benefits of that massively in my recent races.”
Breaking barriers – and records
Faye’s work certainly paid off at the recent Aquatics GB Championships, where she broke the 200m butterfly world record and surpassed her pre-accident best. She also set new European and British records across multiple events and even qualified for an Olympic Pathway final – a rare feat for a para-athlete.
“To be able to race in that category and prove to myself that I can still do it despite my impairment – that was huge,” she said. “It’s taken me four years, but I’m now as fast as I was before the accident.”
Being that person
With countless accolades to her name, Faye has found herself becoming a role model for others – something she’s still getting used to.
“I never set out to be one,” she admitted. “But if my story can help someone else believe in themselves, then that’s really special.”
For Faye, para sport has not only given her a second chance at the sport she loves – it’s given her a platform to inspire.
“I’ve always said my impairment doesn’t stop me. It might take me longer, or I might have to find a different way, but I can still do it. And I want other people to know they can too.”
Looking ahead
With the World Championships in Singapore on the horizon and a Commonwealth Games on home turf not too far behind, Faye is focused on building on her recent success.
“I’m just excited to keep pushing. Every time I reach a new goal, I just think, If I can do this, what else is possible?”
