Karen Pickering MBE    
Karen represented her country at a senior level for 20 years during which time she won more major championship medals for Britain than any other female swimmer and won the most Commonwealth medals for England of any female athlete in any sport. She was also the first British female swimmer to win a World Championship title when she took gold in the 200m freestyle in 1993.

Karen made her international debut in 1986 and went on to win an incredible 73 titles on the national and international stages. She was four times World Champion, won 14 European Championship medals, 38 British Championship titles and 13 Commonwealth Games medals (4 gold). The 2002 Commonwealth Games saw Karen gain two gold and a silver medal in front of her home crowd, a career highlight which was crowned when she was given the honour of carrying the English flag at the Closing Ceremony.

Her career has been an eventful one. As well as an amazing medal haul she has twice held a World Record, she competed at four consecutive Olympic Games, which few athletes in any sport have done and in 1994 she was awarded an MBE for services to swimming.

What makes Karen’s achievements all the more remarkable, is that many of her successes were gained despite the fact that in 1996 Karen broke her back in a car accident. The three years following the accident saw her fight to get back to world level competition and ultimately succeed in her goal.

Date of birth: December 19, 1971
Place of birth: Brighton

Four time World Champion
Eight World Championship medals
Two time World Record Holder
Four time Commonwealth Champion
Thirteen Commonwealth medals
Fourteen European Championship medals
Thirty eight British titles
Competed at four consecutive Olympic Games