Team Maccabi GB’s swimming squad reached new heights in Berlin, with an outstanding 39-medal haul.
Led diligently by Samantha Russo, they won a procession of silverware, with each squad member securing a podium finish.
Ellie Grant, at 13 the youngest member of the delegation, was undoubtedly one of the stars of the Games. She took home seven golds in an incredible 10-medal haul. Grant said: “I feel incredibly proud to have medalled in every race I entered. It was a brilliant experience competing against swimmers from other countries, and the Americans were very good. I definitely want to test myself against them again at the Maccabiah Games in 2017.”
Grant, who is a member of Redbridge Swimming Club, will now compete for England at the National Championships in Sheffield, where she will race in the 400m individual medley, 200m butterfly and 100m breaststroke.
Reflecting on her first EMG, Grant admits she found pre-camp an “eye-opener” and said: “Everyone was made to feel so welcome in Berlin and it was important for us to be here."
GB swimming manager Russo described the squad’s 39-medal haul as an “outstanding achievement”.
She said: “Our results came as a result of lots of hard work and I’m delighted all our swimmers won medals.
"The conditions were freezing cold, but we stuck together and everyone helped keep spirits high. There was great teamwork.
"Our tally surpassed my expectations and I hope the experience has made the juniors more confident when they return to their clubs in England.
"They produced some stirring performances and have had a feel of an international event on the scale of a mini-Olympics."
There were also gold medals for Daniel Schindler, Rachel Ayrton and the Junior boys and girls relay teams. Trevor Pears took home five medals in the Masters events, while Romy Caton-Jones, Rebecca Saville, Peter Lever and Alex Wilson were also among the silver and bronze medal winners.
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