SM:   Ah, Caroline.  How did you get involved in swimming?

CJ:    Well, Stuart, it all began when I was around nine or ten. Our dad would sometimes take us all on a day out to Rhyl on his workmen’s holiday. I would go for a little paddle. I suppose you could say that I took to swimming like a duck to water! (laughs) But it was at our local public baths that my talent really came into its own. I’ve never looked back since!

SM:    So tell me: How were you selected to represent Great Britain in the championships?

CJ:    Well, now. It all began in the August of last year, when a talent-scout happened to be paying an official visit to our local baths when I was on school visit there. I happened to catch the talent-scout’s eye, and our teacher, Miss Kirkpatrick inroduced me to him. I was the star pupil as far as swimming was concerned. I was told that I had the most potential out of all my classmates. A couple of weeks later, me and my mam were driven down to London for professional training. I spent four months at it! It wasn’t till a couple of weeks after that, that I heard the news that I had been chosen to represent Britain in the 1947 First Annual Women’s Swimming Championships – out of all thirty or so hopefuls.  Mam was ecstatic!

SM:    I can imagine that training for this event was rather strenuous.

CJ:    You don’t know the half of it! When I was flown over here two months before the big day, I was given rigorous training by the veteran Russian swimmer, Vladimir Konstantin. I can tell you one thing – he was like a bl***y drill sergeant, he was! If one of the girls wasn’t lifting her arms up high enough, he’d practically yell the house down. I was even reduced to tears at one point, but I managed to make the grade in the end. Looking back though, I suppose you could say it was Vladimir who really got me to where I am today.

SM:    How does winning Gold for both the back-stroke and the breast-stroke make you feel?

CJ:    Absolutely brilliant! When I took first place twice, it felt as if I could practically walk on water. My mam was thrilled to bits, and my dad was really proud of me as well!

SM:    By the way – I heard that you’re in negotiations with a major New York-based women’s swimwear manufacturer over a sponsorship deal. Is that true?

CJ:    Yes! I was approached by a company rep from the Ladylake Swimwear Company of 5th Avenue in Manhattan. They’re offering me a five-year contract.

SM:    What are your feelings towards this?

CJ:    Put it this way: We’ve never been the most well-off families. We could certainly do with buying ourselves a bigger house with some of the money. It’d make our lives a hell of a lot easier!

SM:    Might I ask how much you’re being offered?

CJ:    I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say.

SM:    That’s understandable – but how have your parents reacted towards the news of this?

CJ:    Well, my dad has been having his doubts. He’s spoken on my behalf quite often. He explained to the company rep that he did not want his family to be exploited.

SM:    What did your mother have to say on the matter.

CJ:    Very much the same, but negotiations are still underway.

SM:    Well, Caroline. I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got time for. Let me just say that it has been a great pleasure to speak with you, and may I wish you all the best of luck with the sponsorship deal!

CJ:    (laughs) Thanks! Same to you too, lad!

SM:    Oh, just one last word: Are there any little tidbits of advice you’d like to give to our readers and any budding young swimmers out there?

CJ:    OK. Never eat a heavy meal just before you swim and don’t swim while wearing your shoes.