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Wrexham-born swimmer Pardoe, part of Team GB at the Tokyo and Paris Games, has so far raised nearly \u00a38,000 for Surfers Against Sewage.<\/p>\n
But he believes water quality in the UK is a source of national shame having faced many bouts of illness throughout his open-water swimming career.<\/p>\n
Illnesses from bacteria such as E. coli, commonly caused by sewage in the water, have become all too regular. Water quality monitors providing real-time data were used during his three-lake swim.<\/p>\n
It is why he insists it is important to use his platform “for something bigger than just winning a medal”.<\/p>\n
“Sport is a thing of national pride and we’re one of the best nations per capita across the world,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re always finishing inside of the top five in the Olympic Games but we’re lagging behind in many areas of water pollution.<\/p>\n
“I was fortunate enough to start open water swimming when I was 12 but we’re seeing a constant closure of open water venues across the country,” he said.<\/p>\n
“More and more rivers, lakes are being deemed unsafe to swim due to sewage discharge.<\/p>\n
“I have to take all sorts of precautions, like a shot of Pepto-Bismol before and after every swim,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I use precautionary antibiotics and have to clean my face and hands immediately after getting out of the water before touching anything.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n