NewsUK NewsSwimmingBaroness Sharron Davies of Devonport said: 'Swimming saves lives and should be shown on TV more often.' Her call comes following a series of recent open water drowning tragedies05:56, 05 Jun 2026Swimming saves lives and deserves far greater television coverage, a former Olympic champion has declared.‌Baroness Sharron Davies of Devonport made the plea following a series of recent open water drowning tragedies that claimed at least 17 lives. Among the victims was Midland teenager Lilliana Tomlinson, who died after getting into difficulty near Kingsbury Water Park, close to Tamworth, on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May.‌Lady Davies, a Conservative peer who won gold at the 1980 Moscow Games, told the House of Lords: "We're closing pools at the moment at an alarming rate and in the last few weeks we've seen at least 17 people die from drowning."‌During a debate on the Sporting Events Bill, she argued that major event organisers were "getting it wrong" by placing excessive importance on opening and closing ceremonies.. She pushed for greater focus on "inspiring a healthier nation as people get back to old habits and try new ones".‌The All Party Parliamentary Group on Swimming revealed earlier this year that just 74 per cent of children could swim 25 metres by the time they completed primary school.The findings also showed that more than 1,200 pools were over 40 years old and potentially approaching the end of their working life reports Birmingham Live"The loss of facilities threatens to widen these inequalities and leave another generation of children without this essential skill," the report cautioned. Lady Davies, a Conservative peer, warned that swimming coverage during this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow would only be available through a paid-for streaming platform, rather than free-to-air television.She cautioned that if free-to-air swimming coverage was restricted solely to the Olympics, "that's four years in between showing swimming – one of our biggest participation sports and a sport that saves lives".Article continues belowShe went on to say: "It's important to inspire people to want to swim."The Bill received backing from Members of the House of Lords at its second reading. The legislation draws on laws introduced for both the London 2012 Olympics and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and would create a framework for organising future sporting events.Among its provisions, it includes potentially granting event organisers powers over transport infrastructure in host cities, as well as penalties for the unauthorised resale of tickets.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌House of LordsSharron DaviesCommonwealth GamesLondon 2012 OlympicsTeenagersPoliticsSwimming