Daughter Charlotte inspires Firth to bronze medal
Northern Ireland swimmer Bethany Firth won bronze in the women's S14 200m freestyle at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a result made especially meaningful as it is her first major medal since giving birth to her daughter Charlotte in August 2024. Firth, 30, finished third behind Team GB team-mates Georgia Sheffield and Poppy Maskill, having found the freestyle event particularly difficult to regain her form in since returning to competition after becoming a mother.
Firth clocked 2:07.63 in the final, saying it was a "mental battle" but that thinking of Charlotte, who was watching poolside, spurred her on to push through and secure the podium finish. The medal adds to a career haul that already includes six Paralympic gold medals, and comes weeks after she broke her own world record in the S14 100m backstroke at the Dutch National Championships in Eindhoven. Firth said the Los Angeles Olympics in two years is a realistic goal, but that she is focused on taking things year by year as she balances motherhood with swimming.
- Bethany Firth won S14 200m freestyle bronze in Glasgow
- First major medal since having daughter Charlotte in 2024
- Recently broke her own 100m backstroke world record
New here? Start with this
Bethany Firth is a competitive swimmer from Northern Ireland who specialises in Paralympic events. She is a highly decorated athlete with six Paralympic gold medals to her name, and has become one of the world's leading swimmers in her discipline.
In August 2024, Firth took time away from competitive swimming to give birth to her daughter Charlotte. Returning to elite sport after having a baby presents significant physical and mental challenges, particularly when competing at the highest level where athletes constantly pursue marginal improvements in performance.
Firth is now in the early stages of her comeback to competitive swimming, balancing motherhood with her athletic career. She has set her sights on competing at the Los Angeles Olympics in two years, though she is taking her return year by year rather than rushing to meet specific targets.