Tyler Stone – Team GB Selection – European Youth Olympic Festival

Thursday 10 July 2025

Tyler Stone has been selected to represent Team GB in swimming at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje, North Macedonia. The 15 year old City of Norwich swimmer secured his selection by placing top in his age group at the British Championships in April at the London Aquatic Centre. The competition is a multi-sport games from the 21st to the 25th July and showcases top emerging talent across Europe. Tyler will be competing in his best events which are the 100 metres and 200 metres breaststroke.

This is a remarkable achievement for any 15 year old swimmer but especially for Tyler considering his journey and major setbacks over the past 18 months. In March 2024 Tyler severed his tendons and major nerves when his wrist went through a glass window. He was millimetres from cutting the artery. He needed extensive surgery to reattach the tendons and nerves. Recovery was extremely challenging, having physio on his hand for a year and working diligently to regain as much movement as possible. His consultant is astounded at his recovery – however he still doesn’t have full movement. Tyler wasn’t able to swim for a long time and it was tough missing out on the competitions in 2024 that he had planned attending.

In March 2025, exactly 1 year following his accident, Tyler raced the 200 meters breaststroke at a competition in Luton. He made a 5 second personal best and qualified for his first ever Aquatics GB Championships. Only 4 weeks later at the Aquatics GB Championships, Tyler stepped up and performed incredibly. Swimming the 200 meters breaststroke he dropped another 2 seconds from his personal best and placed 5th in the Junior (U18) Final. At 15 years he was the youngest competitor in the final and one of the youngest swimmers at the whole of the championships. His time also broke the Swim England East Region Junior (Under 16 years) record, which has stood since 2013.

His performance at the Aquatics GB Championships resulted in Tyler being selected on to a team of 16 swimmers (8 male and 8 female) to represent Team GB in Skopje. He is currently in his final preparations at the UEA Sportspark 50 meter swimming pool before joining the Aquatics GB Swimming Team next week.

Tyler said “This is all very unexpected but I’m extremely honoured to be selected. I’m looking forward to meeting the team, giving my all and making the most of this amazing opportunity.”

Tyler’s mother Rosanna Stone said “We are beyond proud of Tyler – he is living proof that hard work truly does pay off. We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at the club for the incredible support given to Tyler. Especially the coaches who have helped to shape him along his journey through the squads in to the swimmer he is today – Jane Blackwell, Bethany Coombs, Karen Pinniger, Jason Naylor and Alex Pinniger.”

Tyler’s coach Alex Pinniger said “Tyler is an inspiration and everyday demonstrates what can be achieved through focus, determination, commitment and skill. Above all he is good-natured, friendly and an incredibly popular team member. We are all delighted for him. International swimming is a step up and Tyler has all of the necessary attributes to succeed in Skopje and beyond.”

For further information, sponsorship opportunities for Tyler Stone and City of Norwich Swimming Club please contact Alex Pinniger. alexpinniger@gmail.com