Cornwall veteran to represent UK in sport she dislikes
She added: "For me, it's not about going out there to win a medal with the swimming. "My medal, for myself, will be that I put my costume on, I've stood out up there, I've got in the pool, I've swam that length and got out the other side." Ms Whyatt now works as a lead instructor with Active Plus, a community interest company that sees veterans use their experiences to inspire others.
The Cornish veteran left the military following a misdiagnosed hip injury. She said: "I was being rehabilitated to build my muscles up around that but what was actually happening was the hip bone was fracturing open the more that I worked on it."I was medically discharged after 21 years, so being told that, having that decision made for me and not by myself, that affected my mental health."I realised I had to think of something else to do and start a new life."Discussing the upcoming games, she admitted that it had "not quite hit" yet. She said: "I think, for a few of us, we've said the opening ceremony when we walk out on to the stage and we parade as Team UK, I think that's when it's going to hit."When we look up and realise everyone is there for us."
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South Wales Argus
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- South Wales Argus
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