Campaign Ambassador - Mark Evens

Name: Mark Evens

Sports/Activities: Swimming

Locality: North Herts

My name is Mark and I have Down Syndrome. My sporting journey began when I was a baby when my parents took me swimming because they thought it was an important life skill and it would be good for my fitness. I joined Hitchin Swimming Club when I was 11 and started competing. I set my first junior Down syndrome world record when I was 13 and I am proud to say that I have represented Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain at 4 World Championships and 3 European Championships. For the last 2 years I was team captain for the GB squad. I have 9 World Championships titles and currently hold 3 open world records.

When I compete, I swim in both mainstream and Down syndrome only competitions. It can be difficult in wider competitions where I compete in the S14 category, a classification for all swimmers with intellectual disabilities. This does not take into account the additional physical disability that I have. However, I always give it my best, and my family are always there to support me. My mum is my biggest supporter, and my dad helps to coach me. I have been very lucky that Hitchin Swimming Club have always tried to help me and Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain have been great too.

My plan has always been to continue swimming for as long as I am still competitive, and I haven’t really changed from that. Over the years, local swimming clubs have become more welcoming to swimmers with a disability so that has helped me to gain better access to galas than I did earlier in my journey. Next for me is training for the World Championships in November 2026. I hope to retain my 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle titles. My advice is to always believe in yourself and dream big - anything is possible.