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| Ipswich man, 84, wins world swimming medal after 70 years | Ipswich man, 84, wins world swimming medal after 70 years |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Michael Read took home a gold medal in the World Aquatics Masters Championships | |
| An 84-year-old man said it felt "amazing" to achieve his dream of becoming a world swimming champion after 70 years. | An 84-year-old man said it felt "amazing" to achieve his dream of becoming a world swimming champion after 70 years. |
| Michael Read MBE, who lives in Ipswich, started swimming at the age of 14 and went on to swim the English Channel 33 times. | Michael Read MBE, who lives in Ipswich, started swimming at the age of 14 and went on to swim the English Channel 33 times. |
| At the end of July and throughout part of August, he competed in several events in the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore. | At the end of July and throughout part of August, he competed in several events in the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore. |
| He won gold in the 3km open water swim and took home silver medals in other events in the pool. | He won gold in the 3km open water swim and took home silver medals in other events in the pool. |
| Mr Read trains at Crown Pools in Ipswich Monday to Friday | |
| "It feels absolutely amazing, it was a 70-year dream," Mr Read said. | "It feels absolutely amazing, it was a 70-year dream," Mr Read said. |
| "I've always said to myself, even if I have to keep going until I'm 100, I will be a World Masters Champion, so now I've ticked that off at 84. | "I've always said to myself, even if I have to keep going until I'm 100, I will be a World Masters Champion, so now I've ticked that off at 84. |
| "I'll have to think of some more things now." | "I'll have to think of some more things now." |
| Mr Read is targeting more races later this year | Mr Read is targeting more races later this year |
| Mr Read said during his open water race on 27 July, the water temperature had been "unbelievably hot" and "close to the maximum temperature permitted". | Mr Read said during his open water race on 27 July, the water temperature had been "unbelievably hot" and "close to the maximum temperature permitted". |
| He added that conditions varied, and he battled rough waters as well as currents. | He added that conditions varied, and he battled rough waters as well as currents. |
| While other competitors had dropped out of the race, Mr Read still had to complete the race in 90 minutes. | While other competitors had dropped out of the race, Mr Read still had to complete the race in 90 minutes. |
| He came across the finish line in 87 minutes and 32 seconds. | He came across the finish line in 87 minutes and 32 seconds. |
| Mr Read also brought home a silver medal in the 400m individual medley (IM) in the pool, as well as several others in the relay events. | Mr Read also brought home a silver medal in the 400m individual medley (IM) in the pool, as well as several others in the relay events. |
| Overall, he said it was a "great experience" and he was now looking ahead to the Swim England National Masters Championships in October in Sheffield. | Overall, he said it was a "great experience" and he was now looking ahead to the Swim England National Masters Championships in October in Sheffield. |
| 'A love affair' | 'A love affair' |
| Asked why he loved swimming, Mr Read said: "It's the other way around, it is a love affair. | Asked why he loved swimming, Mr Read said: "It's the other way around, it is a love affair. |
| "I do just love it. Other people like coffee or cigarettes or doing other things, for me swimming is the ultimate. | "I do just love it. Other people like coffee or cigarettes or doing other things, for me swimming is the ultimate. |
| "It keeps you fit, it enables you to go to lovely places as I've been to, I make friends, I see the world, I've just got so much to be thankful for." | "It keeps you fit, it enables you to go to lovely places as I've been to, I make friends, I see the world, I've just got so much to be thankful for." |
| Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. | Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. |