Liz Johnson

Liz Johnson was introduced to swimming at the age of 3 following advice that it would help with her cerebral palsy.

Liz Johnson has since represented Great Britain and medalled at each of the last three Paralympic Games, been crowned Paralympic and World Champion and was fittingly bestowed the honour of reading the athlete’s oath at the Opening Ceremony of London 2012.

Destined for the top from a tender age, Liz announced herself in style by winning a silver medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens when still a teenager. Two years later, Liz swam into the history books by claiming two gold medals at the IPC World Championships, making her a double world champion but the highlight of her career was yet to come as she was to continue to build on this success.

In September 2008, Liz Johnson fulfilled a lifetime ambition by winning the Paralympic Gold medal in the 100m Breaststroke. Liz dedicated her Gold medal to her mother who sadly passed away during the Paralympic Games, just days before her race. Such tragedy is inconsolable, but Liz’s determination to succeed was there for all to see and she continued in such a vein to London 2012 where she was again forced to overcome a difficult situation.

Just a few months out from the Games, she was forced to change coaches and relocate from her home in Bath to Manchester. Rising to the occasion once again, she swam a Paralympic Record to help her on her way to a third successive Paralympic medal.

A loveable character with an abundance of personality, Liz has been competing at national level from 14 years old and has not looked back since, setting new world records, claiming world titles, and even helped to build the London 2012 Aquatic Centre by laying the final tile.

In addition to her swimming ambitions, Liz is an accomplished motivational speaker who plans to pursue a career as an accountant, having graduated in 2008 with a degree in business management and finance.

She is currently an ambassador for London 2012 partners BT and EDF and away from the pool has featured regularly on That Paralympic Show and in ad campaigns for BT, including on London Taxis, where she is expecting the next stop to be another trip to the podium at Rio 2016!