Olga Primary School claimed victory at the Tower Hamlets School Swim Gala.
At the annual event at Mile End Park Leisure Centre on June 10, a total of 220 pupils from 13 primary schools across the borough took part in a day of swimming and competition.
Races included backstroke, front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly and relay events.
Read more
The lost London cafe chain that had iconic waiting staff called 'nippies'
Woman among first in UK to receive new kidney drug
Cllr Minara Khatun, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: "It’s fantastic to see so many young people coming together to take part in this year’s swim gala. Events like this celebrate not just competition, but also the effort, teamwork and confidence that swimming helps to build."
The gala, which has been running for more than 60 years, celebrates swimming as both a sport and a life skill. It is organised by the council and supported by Bethnal Green Sharks Swimming Club and Swim England.
Standout pupils are offered the chance to begin training with Bethnal Green Sharks.
This year, Cllr Khatun presented trophies to the winners and highlighted the wider importance of swimming, particularly in relation to recent national water safety incidents.
She said: "Swimming is both an important sport and a vital life skill. The Swim Gala has been a key part of Tower Hamlets’ programme for decades and is a great example of how we can encourage children to stay active, build confidence in the water and develop skills that support their safety – especially at a time when 17 people have sadly lost their lives in water-related incidents this year."
The council aims to make swimming accessible to all, with free programmes for women, girls, and older adults. This has recently been expanded to include men aged 35 and over and a new family swim offer, allowing parents to bring up to two children free of charge.
Share