Olympian Tessa proud of swimming feats on Channel 4 show
Tessa Sanderson has expressed her pride at everything she has achieved on Channel 4's Sink or Swim.
The 63-year-old six-time Olympian was unable to qualify for the final relay swim of the English Channel, after completing only half of the two-hour qualifying swim of Loch Lomond.
She began the swim having been unable to train because of a shoulder injury and was advised by trainer Ross Edgley to stop after an hour after she was seen to be struggling.
Despite being forced to stop, plus having suffered a trapped nerve and food poisoning at the start of the challenge, the Wolverhampton Olympian is proud of doing as much as she did.
She said: "The last two weeks had just been hell. My arm was getting really sore and I just thought "Forget it".
"Open water was my biggest fear and I cannot believe how far I've gone to be able to swim an hour.
"I actually felt elated coming out of the water, possibly a little bit emotional, because I thought "Oh my god, I've just achieved an hour", because I didn't think I'd be able to achieve that."
Tessa had sustained the shoulder injury during the first night swim, forcing her to pull out half-way through that swim.
She said: "It was like no challenge I've ever taken on board.
"My shoulder was aching and I couldn't pull, couldn't get the technique I needed to bring me forward."
Despite not completing the qualifying swim, Tessa was in high spirits, taking time to console Diane-Louise Jordan after she pulled out of the swim and supporting the other celebrities as they powered onto the finish, with seven of the team qualifying for the channel swim.
Although disappointed that she had not made it to the final swim, Tessa has taken pride in having inspired more adults to learn to swim.
She said: "Thank you Channel 4 for raising awareness for adults who can’t swim. So many have told me they are now taking it up & that makes me really proud."
Tessa took on the challenge to help raise awareness of cancer and support Stand Up To Cancer, a fundraising campaign that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research.
To donate to Stand up to Cancer, go to www.standuptocancer.org.uk/donate
