A Coastland College lecturer and student are celebrating outstanding sporting achievements, with success on the European triathlon stage and multiple medals at the Special Olympics GB.
Liam Platten, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) lecturer at Coastland College, recently competed in the European Middle Distance Triathlon Championships, finishing sixth among British competitors and 16th overall in Europe after an exceptionally challenging race.
The event saw Liam tackle a demanding 1.9km swim, 86km bike ride and 14km run in temperatures reaching 38°C. Despite the extreme heat and a crash during the cycling stage, he showed remarkable determination to get back on his bike and continue racing to the finish.
His impressive result is a testament to the commitment, resilience and hard work required to compete at such a high level.
Meanwhile, Sam Craddock, a 19-year-old student in the Foundation Learning department at Coastland College’s Weymouth Campus, has returned from the Special Olympics GB with two medals of his own.
Representing the South West Team, Sam won gold in the 4x25m relay alongside teammates from across the region, as well as bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
Sam competed at the event in Birmingham alongside his friend Jake Binns, 22, from Shaftesbury, who also celebrated success in the pool. Jake won gold in the 4x25m relay and 25m butterfly, alongside silver in the 25m freestyle.
More than 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities competed across a range of sports at the Special Olympics GB. The pair were able to take part after their swimming club in Shaftesbury became affiliated with the organisation, opening up the opportunity to compete at national level.
Their coach, Lorah Wild of Wild Shark Swim School, praised the swimmers’ performances, highlighting the achievement of bringing together athletes from across the South West to form a successful relay team.
The experience has provided further motivation for Sam, who is now preparing for the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Crawley, West Sussex, in November. Looking further ahead, both swimmers have their sights set on the International Special Olympics in London in 2031.
Sam’s enthusiasm for the sport was clear as he reflected on his experience, saying: “Freestyle was my favourite swim because I got to swim really, really fast.”
Coastland College is proud to celebrate the achievements of its staff and students, recognising the commitment, ambition and determination they demonstrate both within and beyond college life.
