Professional Sports Group

The only man in history to be British Record holder at 50, 100 and 200 metres freestyle, Simon is one of Great Britain’s greatest medal prospects for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 & London in 2012.

Simon learned to swim at Wycombe District Swimming Club at the age of 3 and won his first title at the club championships at 9. Having tasted success so early he continued to represent his club at national events until 2001 when he was selected to represent Great Britain at junior international level for the first time.

Some excellent results in his first season as a junior caught the attention of the Commonwealth Games selectors and Simon was selected to be a member of Team England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the youngest male athlete on the team, winning a bronze medal in the 4×200m freestyle relay, his first senior international medal.

In December 2002, Simon moved to Tuscon, Arizona to study Business Economics at the University of Arizona and quickly made an impression at his first National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Championships winning the 200m freestyle as a freshman. In his four years at Arizona Simon won the 200m title three times. In his second year he broke Matt Biondi’s national record that had stood for 18 years then in his final year he broke the record once more, becoming the only man in history to break the 1 minute 32 second barrier.

Having represented Great Britain at the 2003 World Championships and European Short Course Championships, Simon was in contention to be selected for Team GB, the Athens Olympic Team but broke his wrist in a cycling accident which required surgery. After an operation and speedy recovery he came back to Britain and qualified at the last minute. Putting in superb performances, he made the final in the 200m freestyle and 4×200m freestyle relay, setting new British Records in both races!

In the 2005 British National Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials Simon qualified for the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle setting British records in every event to become the only man in history to hold all three records and as a result was named 2005 British Male Swimmer of the Year.

At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Simon won the 100m freestyle in a new British and Commonwealth Games record time and also won gold in the 4×200m freestyle relay and silver in the 200m freestyle. At the European Championships in August 2006 Simon won silver in the 4×200m freestyle relay and bronze in the 4×100m medley relay whilst carrying a slight injury.

Simon was awarded the University of Arizona’s most coveted sports award The Sapphire Award, as the most outstanding senior athlete and was named 2006 Pacific 10 Conference Swimmer of the Year.

Achievements:
2008 Silver – Olympic Trials, 50m Freestyle
2006 Silver – 4×200m freestyle relay, European Championships, Hungary.
2006 Bronze – 4×100m medley relay, European Championships, Hungary.
2006 Gold – 100m freestyle, Commonwealth Games, Melbourne.
2006 Gold – 4×200m freestyle relay, Commonwealth Games, Melbourne.
2006 Silver – 200m freestyle, Commonwealth Games, Melbourne.
2006 Gold – 200m freestyle, NCAA Swimming Championship, Arizona.
2005 Gold – 50m,100m, 200m freestyle, British National Championships.
2004 Gold – 200yd freestyle, Texas Invitational Championships, USA.
2004 7th – 200m freestyle & 4th – 4×200m freestyle relay, Athens Olympic Games.
2003 6th – 4×200m freestyle relay, European Short Course Championships, Dublin.
2003 6th – 4×200m freestyle relay, World Championships, Barcelona.
2002 6th – 200m freestyle, European Short Course Championships.
2002 12th – 50m backstroke & 10th – 100m backstroke, Commonwealth Games, Manchester.
2002 Bronze – 4×200m freestyle relay, Commonwealth Games, Manchester.

British Record Holder
50m freestyle – 22.12
100m freestyle – 48.68
200m freestyle – 1.46.59