A SPANISH swimmer with Down's Syndrome has won five gold medals at the European championships in Paris.
Carlos Hernández came first in the 50, 100 and 200 metres breaststroke, the 200 metres medley and the 50 metres butterfly today (Saturday) at the championship competition for the mentally handicapped.
The 28-year-old is already world champion and is a swimming instructor for disabled children at Gredos San Diego school in Madrid, where he trains along with 'mainstream' or completely able-bodied competitive swimmers.
Carlos' training colleagues says he carries out exactly the same exercises and schedules as they do and is just another member of the team – except for the fact he is world champion, meaning his swimming companions say they feel privileged to work alongside such a celebrity.
The Spanish team swept the board at the European Swimming and Athletics Championship in Paris this week, netting 68 medals in total – 23 golds, of which five were Carlos'; 30 silvers, and 15 bronzes.
Carlos is shown above in his medals in a photograph taken by the AFANIAS association, which works with the mentally disabled to provide education, leisure opportunities and 'halfway-house' accommodation allowing its members to be as independent as possible.
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