Paralympic swimmer Lyndon Longhorne has announced his retirement from the sport after overcoming the odds in a remarkable career. Now he’s embarking on a new challenge. PETER BARRON reports

With typical understatement, Lyndon Longhorne calls with what he describes as “a little bit of news”.

“Just to let you know, I’ve called it a day,” he says. “I’m retiring from swimming…but there’s a challenge on the horizon.”

For someone who’s just taken the agonising decision to call time on the dream he’s had since meningitis ravaged his body as a baby, he sounds remarkably upbeat.

But that’s hardly surprising because Lyndon has been the epitome of positivity throughout his life that began in the County Durham town of Crook, and took him to the Paralympics in Tokyo three years ago.

He desperately hoped that he’d again be selected for the British Paralympic team for Paris this year – and this time come home to the North East with a medal – but, despite training harder than ever to overcome niggling injuries, it wasn’t to be.

(Image: Morgan Harlow)

He’s responded to that crushing disappointment by swiftly setting his sights on his new challenge: “I’m going to try to be the first quadruple amputee to do an Iron Man Triathlon in under 24 hours,” he reveals.

An Iron Man Triathlon, he goes on to explain, comprises a 2.4 mile swim in open water, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon over 26.2 miles.

“Well, what do you reckon?” he asks with a familiar chuckle.

Having written about this wonderful young man for more than 20 years, I reckon it’s fantastic: an exciting new chapter in an inspirational story that began when he contracted meningitis before he’d even learned to walk.

His right leg had to be amputated above the knee, along with his left leg below the knee, his right hand, and the fingertips on his left hand.

It was a heartbreaking, terrifying time for his family, but Lyndon was born with an incredible fighting spirit. His love of being in the pool was nurtured by his beloved granddad and, before long, he was amazing anyone who watched with his ability in the water.

Competitions followed, his dream of being a Paralympian took shape, and British records were set along the way. In 2012, he was given the honour of carrying the Olympic torch through Bishop Auckland ahead of the London games.

Despite committing to a gruelling daily training regime, he was devastated to miss out on selection for the British Paralympic team for London.

When he didn’t make the team for Rio four years later, he announced his retirement, only to reconsider his decision when he saw his little girl, Aubree, start swimming lessons, and realised he had unfinished business.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his training, with swimming pools closed during lockdowns, so he carried on preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics by swimming in the freezing North Sea.

This time, his dedication and resilience paid off. He was named as part of Team GB and swam in eight Paralympic races in ten days, reaching the S4 100 metres freestyle final, and setting a new British record.

(Image: Morgan Harlow)

A year later, he backed up that achievement by competing in the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira.

And, still, he drove himself on, setting his sights on the Paralympics, which are due to start in Paris on August 28.

There was “phenomenal support” from his coach, Paul Woodley and everyone at Derwentside Swimming Club, while Chris White, chief executive of his employer, Ideal Homes Portugal, gave him a year’s sabbatical to boost his preparations.

However, with his training hampered by a shoulder injury, his name was missing when the British team was announced.

“I was gutted but, in some ways, it’s accelerated my plans to take on something different in my life,” he says, insisting that, this time, there’ll be no going back on his decision to retire from competitive swimming.

“I knew I was coming towards the end, so I’ve been thinking for a while about what else I could do, and now feels like the right time to tackle something new.

“When I retired last time, I didn’t really have a plan – nothing to fill the gap – but I’ve learned a lot since then. I want to create a new identity and I can’t resist a challenge – that’s just part of who I am, and always will be.”

In 2007, Scottish quadruple amputee, Jamie Andrew – a mountaineer who lost his hands and feet following a horrific accident in the French Alps eight years earlier – completed an Iron Man Triathlon in just over 24 hours.

Lyndon’s aim is to be the first quadruple amputee to go under the 24-hour mark, with the attempt scheduled for September 2025.

He’ll be supported by a research team from Liverpool John Moores University, led by physiologist Nicola Robinson, and his aim is to raise £20,000, to be split between Meningtis Now, and men’s mental health charity, Andy’s Man Club.

“I’ve had so much support from Meningitis Now over the years, so that was an obvious choice. And I wanted to do something to raise awareness of men’s mental health because it’s something I’ve had to contend with, in and out of the pool, at different times of my life,” he explains.

First, he’ll need to raise £10,000 to buy a special handbike and wheelchair for the triathlon, and he’s hoping sponsors will want to be associated with his epic efforts.

“I’ve done a lot in my life – I’ve carried the Olympic torch, broken national records, competed in the Paralympics, and the World Championships. I’ve squeezed everything I possibly could out of my body – but I want to push myself even further,” he says.

“Don’t you think you’ve earned a rest for a while?” I ask.

“Nah – what’s life without a challenge?” is Lyndon Longhorne's unhesitating answer.

(Image: Morgan Harlow)