News / Shetland para-swimmer won’t compete in Rio
SHETLAND’S Commonwealth Games swimming star Erraid Davies has been told she can’t compete in the 2016 Rio Paralympics after failing a second eligibility test.
The 15 year old attended a classification review in Berlin on Wednesday, but she was formally deemed ineligible to compete in para-swimming.
Davies has a childhood hip disorder known as Perthes disease, which causes the top of the thigh bone to lose blood supply and for cells to die.
As a result of her condition, she had been allowed to compete in breaststroke para-swimming events.
After travelling to the British para-swimming championship event in Glasgow in April, where the Paralympic team was chosen, the teenager was told her disability was no longer severe enough to allow her to compete.
A second review was booked, but in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, national body Scottish Swimming confirmed that Davies’ Rio dream is now over.
A spokeswoman said: “In line with IPC classification process, Erraid Davies of Delting Dolphins in Shetland undertook a second classification review at the IDM 2016 meet in Berlin, and has been deemed ineligible to compete in para-swimming.
“This follows an initial classification review at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow back in April.
“Erraid and her family are grateful to the support of the para-swimming community at this time but have asked not to be contacted direct in order they can digest the information.”
Davies received national attention at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when she won a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke at the age of just 13.
She was the youngest ever athlete to win a medal at the games.
Davies had been training at the Brae swimming pool ahead of hopefully competing in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, which take place in Brazil in September.
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