AN Olympian swimming hero has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, for 2022.

Liverpool-born Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry, MBE, has been honoured for services to swimming, which includes his opening of Total Swimming in Whitefield and its successful Swim! chain, which has opened other centres in Oldham, Warrington, Sheffield and Liverpool to help underprivileged children learn how to swim.

Total Swimming issued a statement on their Facebook page: “We are truly delighted to share the news that our founder and managing director, Olympic medallist Steve Parry has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List for 2022.

“His MBE has been awarded for services to swimming, after spending the last 30 years either in the pool, or campaigning for children across the UK to have access to one.

“Steve you continue to inspire us every day with your passion and commitment to give all children across the UK the opportunity to be active, and we can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour.”

Mr Parry represented Great Britain in the 2004 Athens Olympic games, where he took home the bronze medal in 200m butterfly, and has represented England in 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games, where he won two more bronze and one silver medal.

He has also been an eight-time recipient of the 200m butterfly title at the ASA National British Championships between 1995 and 2004.

Since retiring, he has become chairperson of the Swim Group and led the response to the Government’s 2015 Sporting Society.