At the Paris Paralympics, Brock Whiston earned a gold medal in the 200m medley SM8 and a silver in the 100m breaststroke SB8. Already a world record holder and world champion, the 29-year-old swimmer achieved a particularly meaningful victory at the Commonwealth Games, where her father, Gel, watched her compete in person for the first time in 17 years.
Whiston explained that her father generally dislikes the environment of a swimming pool, citing the heat and the scent of chlorine. The last time he attended a competition was when Whiston’s mother was battling cancer, from which she has since recovered. With her father now dealing with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Whiston expressed a deep desire to make him proud, stating that her focus was on the win rather than her finishing time.
She delivered a new Games record in the 100m breaststroke SB8. Whiston, who is a primary school employee, noted that she worked hard to regulate her emotions during this meet after a difficult experience in Paris. Reflecting on the moment, Whiston said she spotted her father only after winning, describing his presence as an incredibly special experience, even if he insisted it would be his only time attending a meet.
