Gemma Spofforth Swims for Mother, Country as 2012 Olympics Approach
Published June 20th, 2012
Gemma Spofforth is one of the most accomplished UF female swimmers in Gator history after piling up seven NCAA individual championships. But her achievements came with a heavy heart, as Gemma lost her mother Dorothy Lesley to bowel cancer in 2007 and battled depression and suicidal thoughts in the years thereafter. Gemma got through the pain by turning to the sport her mother started her in as a child. She used swimming as a sanctuary to cope with the loss, and has since worked as a crisis counselor to help others in the healing process. The world record holder for the women's 100-meter backstroke will be competing for her home country of England in the 2012 London Olympics this summer.
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