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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Harriet Gibsone

Mark Foster looks back: ‘After my first Olympics, I was working as a groundsman, lifeguard and glazier. I thought the swimming was over’

Born in Billericay, Essex, in 1970, Mark Foster is a former competitive swimmer and winner of 51 major international medals, including six world titles, two Commonwealth Games golds and 11 European titles. He represented the UK at five Olympic Games, and broke eight world records. He works as a commentator for the BBC during major sporting events. Foster’s memoir, My Double Life, is out now.

This was taken in a park in Southend, presumably – as the trunks suggest – near a swimming pool. I would have been with both of my big sisters and my mum. I was always stupidly smiley and never took life seriously.

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