British synchronised swimmer Carolyn Wilson and her 39-year journey

Thirty-nine years ago in Rome in 1983 she became European double champion in the women's artistic swimming solo and duet with her partner Amanda Dodd. There are sweet memories and a lot of emotions for Great Britain's Carolyn Wilson, now married to MacDonald, who, thanks to the European Masters 2022 artistic swimming championships, is back in competition at the Foro Italico.
The 63-year-old British athlete from Farnborough competed in the technical event only (60-69 category), placing fourth with 56.8686 points and second with the technical routine of her team, the Rushmoor Artistic, finishing with 59.5729 points.
The British artistic swimmer, inducted into the Synchronised Hall of Fame in 2008, has won nine European medals in her career, between Split 1981 and Sofia 1985, and was fourth at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. For Wilson, the return to Rome is a mix of emotions and memories. "It is wonderful to be back here. I left a big piece of my heart in Rome: at the Foro Italico I swam, competed, won medals and coached some British teams. Some time has passed, the memories have never faded and today I felt shivers as soon as I entered the water: it was a bit like rewinding a tape," she said.
Born in 1959, Carolyn MacDonald has an extraordinary career behind her, but when she enters the water, the adrenalin is the same as when she dominated Europe: "I am a little tired but that is normal. It was a hectic day with two races close together, but I am happy because everything went well. I am happy with how the team routine went. There is a great sense of belonging to the group among the masters. It's really beautiful," she added.
Retired in 1985, she has two degrees, one in Botany and Zoology and another at the age of 48 in Education. She is currently vice-principal and science teacher at a high school in Guildford.

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