Year 10 student, Bel, was the only Western Australian swimmer selected to represent Australia at the Virtus Global Games in France. Bel competed in eight finals and four relays over five days, finishing with one gold, one bronze and two silver medals, as well as three fourth places.

Bel, who started swimming competitively five years ago, was motivated by the will to better herself.
“It was amazing to look up at the leader boards to see that you have gotten a new personal best. It was just the best feeling, and it drove me to start competing,” said Bel.

Bel felt very proud to represent her state and country.

“I felt honoured and really emotional. I was so proud of myself, along with all the other people that had made it that far.”

Through the whole experience, Bel’s favourite part was the meaningful relationships she formed.

“I loved meeting people that I can relate to – people that understand me and are actually able to help me. I have made so many friends on the trip and it was enlightening to feel so much love around that community,” said Bel.

Leading up to the competition, Bel was training three to four mornings a week when the pool was quiet. Moving forward, she is taking two years off before resuming training in the hope to compete at the next Virtus Global Games.

“I am taking two years off swimming, to focus on my horse – he has not been getting a lot of attention lately! However, I will still do competitions maybe once a month or two months. As the Virtus Global Games happens every four years, I plan to spend the next two years with my horse, then the following two years focus more on swimming and hopefully compete at the Virtus Global Games again.”