When told she’d never compete again, Faye Rogers said: ‘Watch me!’ (Picture: Getty)
ParalympicsGB star Faye Rogers has won gold three years after she was involved in a serious car crash and told she’d never compete again.
The British para-swimmer was left incredibly emotional after winning the women’s S10 100m butterfly event at the 2024 Paralympic Games this week.
Rogers was severely injured in a car crash three years ago – and when a doctor told her she’d never race competitively again after losing an arm – the Briton simply said: ‘Watch me.’
The 21-year-old has now won Paralympic gold, finishing the race in 1:05.84, ahead of fellow British star Callie-Ann Warrington, who landed the silver medal in Paris.
After winning the gold, Rogers told BBC Scotland: ‘It’s three years as of now since my accident – and it’s just such a lovely full circle.
‘Being told you’re never going to be able to compete again, or even swim properly, as someone whose life revolved around swimming was really, really tough.
‘I’m really proud of myself for bouncing back from that. My coach, Patrick Miley, has played a huge part. He supported me since day one.
Faye Rogers finished ahead of fellow Brit Callie-Ann Warrington (Picture: Getty)
Doctor told Faye Rogers her career was over
Faye Rogers competed in Olympic trials three years ago, before she was injured in a car crash on her way to university just a few months later.
Her doctor said he could save her arm – but not her swimming career. Just three years later, Rogers has clinched a Paralympic gold medal in Paris.
‘I had to phone Patrick from the hospital after the accident and I’d never actually worked with him yet.
‘I was so anxious making that call because I didn’t want to let him down. I wasn’t sure what he was going to say and he just couldn’t have been more supportive.
‘We’ve gone from there and my mum and dad and my whole family really, they’ve never stopped supporting me.
‘It’s not sunk in yet and, when I was on the podium, I was in shock. I didn’t know where to look and I just couldn’t stop grinning. It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t be happier.
‘You obviously hope to win but don’t dare to think about it because, if it doesn’t happen, it’ll only make it hurt more.
‘Finishing, touching the wall, was the first time that I let myself think about it and I was just like, wow!’