Swim and bear it

OUT of order . . . Amy with the goggles in question

Amy told no goggles — despite chlorine allergy

A DISTRESSED schoolgirl must choose between embarrassment and agony when she sits a swimming exam next week.

Amy Finch, a pupil at Chadderton Hall Primary, is allergic to chlorine and has to wear goggles in the pool to protect her eyes.

Mum Gill Finch sent a note from Amy’s doctor explaining her predicament but her swimming teacher says Amy will be penalised if she wears her goggles to sit a survival certificate on Monday.

Gill, of Winchester Avenue, Chadderton, said: “Amy has been wearing her goggles for her weekly lessons but when I picked her up this week she was really upset and said her teacher told her if she wore them during the survival test her certificate would be different to everyone else’s.

“She was obviously bothered by it as it was the first thing she said to me and she was embarrassed that she had been singled out.

“The teacher said Amy should learn to cope without goggles because if she fell into the sea or into a river she would not be wearing them but she doesn’t wear goggles in the sea as it is chlorine she is allergic to, not salt or river water.

“I think it is out of order to penalise Amy in this way and I don’t see why her certificate should be any different just because she is wearing goggles. It seems so silly — Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps wasn’t penalised for wearing goggles when he won eight gold medals in Beijing. Amy loves swimming but she has to shower as soon as she’s come out of the water and then she has another bath when she gets home to make sure we’ve got all the chlorine off her.”

Veronica Jackson, executive director for people, communities and society, said: “This appears to have been a misunderstanding.

“This young girl is certainly allowed to wear goggles in swimming lessons because she has provided a doctor’s note.

“It was only mentioned that she might want to attempt a personal survival test without them.

“However, it was clear there was no pressure to do so and that she could still complete the test wearing goggles.

“Swimming teachers follow established guidelines.

“These state that beginners and improvers — unless they have a medical condition — should not wear goggles.

“That is so that they can get used to eye contact with the water.

“Goggles are also usually only worn in certain situations — for example, a prolonged training session for more advanced swimmers.”