British swimmer aiming for Rio Olympics dies after cardiac arrest - The Guardian

Swimmers and coaches have spoken of their sadness and shock at the death of a 16-year-old swimmer who was aiming for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Chloe Waddell, who had competed in the Olympic trials against Rebecca Adlington, went into cardiac arrest on Sunday morning. She was found unconscious by her parents, who tried to revive her at their home in Timperley, Greater Manchester, but was later pronounced dead in hospital.

The double world open-water champion Keri-Anne Payne tweeted: "Such sad news about Swim Trafford swimmer Chloe Waddell who passed away on Sunday. Thoughts are with her family&friends."

Chloe, a member of both the Swim Trafford and Altrincham swimming clubs, had been at an awards ceremony on Saturday where she was presented with an outstanding achievement award. She later went to a party at a friend's house.

Police said the cause of death was not yet known but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. Details have been passed to the coroner.

A police spokesman said: "At about 8.30am on 3 February 2013, police were called by the ambulance service who had attended a house on Bryons Drive in Timperley. Paramedics were there to treat a 16-year-old girl who had gone into cardiac arrest. She was taken to hospital but sadly died."

The spokesman said Chloe had slipped and cut her lip at her friend's party, but described it as a minor injury.

Swim Trafford's head performance coach, James Stannard, said he was "deeply saddened and shocked" by the death. He said: "As a small squad, this news has rocked us."

Chloe had swum at the National and British Championships in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle and open water events. She had also been selected to attend British Swimming talent camps including an open water development camp last year, and had won a bronze medal in the 800m freestyle at the UK School Games.

She "showed excellent potential", said Mark Perry of British Swimming. He said: "Chloe will be missed by all," adding that her death was a "sad time for the swimming community".

Mark Rose, the City of Manchester Aquatics team head coach, who worked with Chloe as part of the Manchester Beacon Programme, also paid tribute.

He said: "Chloe swam at the Manchester Beacon and was a hard-working, self-motivated individual who always walked in with a smile on her face. Chloe and her coach, James Stannard, were a great partnership who worked exceptionally well together as they developed Chloe's performances and skills in and out of the water.

"Her positive frame of mind at all times is a credit to her family, her coach, James and her team at Trafford. She will be sorely missed and all of us here at Manchester have her family and her team-mates in our thoughts."