Isle Of Wight Swimmer Zac Lacey Strikes Gold At European Championships

Isle of Wight swimmer Zac Lacey has once again made waves on the international stage — retaining his 200m Butterfly title at the European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal.

After waiting 16 months since the last World Championships for another chance to represent Team GB, Zac made his return count — bringing home an incredible eight medals and being named Great Britain Team Captain until 2027.

Zac got off to a flying start, taking Gold in the 50m Backstroke with a new personal best time.

Earlier that day, he also achieved another personal best to finish fourth in the 400m Freestyle.

The success continued throughout the week:

• Day 2: Silver in the 50m Butterfly

• Day 3: Fourth place in the 200m Individual Medley (another PB)

• Day 4: Silver in the 100m Butterfly — setting a new European age-group record

• Day 5: Gold in the 200m Butterfly, breaking another European record and leading a

  
  

  Team GB clean sweep of the podium

Zac also added to his medal tally in the relays — winning Silver in the 4x50m Mixed Medley, 4x50m Men’s Medley and 4x100m Men’s Medley, as well as a brilliant Gold in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay.

On the final evening, Zac’s achievements were further recognised when he was officially announced as Team GB Captain for the next round of World and European Championships, a role he will hold until 2027.

Reflecting on the week, Zac said:

“This last week has been amazing and although it was a very tiring week, this has been my best international meet ever.

"To be Team Captain of my country has been a wish of mine for many years, and it’s very emotional.”

Zac also expressed his gratitude to Wightlink and everyone involved in the Talented Athlete Programme, along with his Seaclose Swimming Club coaches, Isle Achieve for strength and conditioning, and Dan Noyes, his physio and personal trainer — “who literally keeps him in working order.”