An 84-year-old who has swum the English Channel 33 times shows no signs of slowing down after returning home from the competition with a raft of medals.
Michael Read, who lives in Ipswich, competed in the Open Masters at the International Multisport Games in Abu Dhabi.
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The athlete started swimming at the age of 14 and won five gold medals and two silver medals in his age group.
“It’s a lovely venue, nice and warm, the people are very friendly – it’s a great experience,” he said.
Reed returned home with wins in the 5km open water, 400m and 200m individual medley and 800m and 400m freestyle events.
He won silver medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle events.
The Open Masters, held from February 6 to 15, is billed as the largest mass participation sporting event in the region, bringing together more than 25,000 players across 38 disciplines.
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Reed, also known as the “King of the Channel,” won gold in the 3km open water event at the World Masters Swimming Championships in Singapore last year.
“Every day is a new adventure, I love competing, meeting people and it makes me happy when people say I inspire them,” he added.
“There are school children out there and I hope they will be inspired like I was inspired all those years ago when I was 14.”
Reed returns home from international competition with a pile of medals hanging around his neck [Shaun Whitmore/BBC]
Reid started swimming when he joined Brighton Swimming Club and five years later he was selected for the national team for the 1960 Rome Olympics.
But just days before he was to hit the water, he had a car accident while riding his Lambretta bike, which prevented him from participating in the race.
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However, since then he has been appointed an MBE for his services to swimming and became a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Despite his advanced age, he remains as dedicated to his passion as ever, attending the Crown Pool in Ipswich every day and competing regularly.
“I’m very grateful and that’s why I’m happy to do whatever I can to promote the development of a new generation of young swimmers,” he said.
“I don’t think [I’ll ever stop swimming]. I have to have new ambitions now – maybe a second world title. “
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