Janice Burton MBE (born 11 April 1958) is a retired British Paralympic swimmer. Burton competed in B1 events having completely lost sight in both of her eyes. She won a total of 23a Paralympic medals during a career that spanned four Games.[2] As of 2021, Burton remains the second most decorated British Paralympian after cyclist and former swimmer Dame Sarah Storey, and the most decorated British Paralympian in a single sport.

Janice Burton
MBE
Personal information
Born (1958-04-11) 11 April 1958 (age 66)
Sport
Country United Kingdom
SportParalympic swimming
Medal record
Paralympic Games[1]
Gold medal – first place 1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York Women's 50 m Breaststroke B1
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul 50 m Freestyle B1
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 100 m Backstroke B1
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 200 m Medley B1
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 50 m Freestyle B1
Silver medal – second place 1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York 100 m Backstroke B1
Silver medal – second place 1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York 400 m Individual Medley B1
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul 100 m Backstroke B1
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul 200 m Individual Medley B1
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul 400 m Freestyle B1
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 100 m Butterfly B1
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 100 m Freestyle B1
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 400 m Freestyle B1
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 4x100 m Freestyle B1-3
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta 4x100 m Freestyle B1-3
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York 100 m Freestyle B1
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul 100 m Butterfly B1
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul 100 m Freestyle B1
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 100 m Butterfly B1
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 50 m Freestyle B1

In a career that spanned both the pre- and post- IPC era, Burton competed in both individual and relay races. In the individual events she won five gold medals with three coming in the 1992 Games in Barcelona.[1] As well as achieving Paralympic success she also triumphed in European and World competitions, being crowned champion a total of 15 times.[2]

Burton was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1999 New Year Honours list "for services to Sport, especially Swimming, for Visually Impaired People."[3][4] Since retiring from competitive swimming Janice undertakes public speaking for Guide Dogs and about her Paralympic career. She has also taken part in the display events at the Horse of the Year Show. Burton's sporting retirement coincided with a dedication to further physical challenges despite her disability; at 40 years of age Burton learned to water ski, at 50 she learned to snow ski, and at 60 took up zip wiring. [2]

Notes

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^a The British Paralympic Association states that Burton has won 23 medals but the Official Paralympic results service only lists 20 results. This is due to Burton's participation in relay races where the competitors' names were not listed in the database.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Athlete Search Results". British Paralympic Association. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Janice Burton MBE". British Paralympic Association. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  3. ^ UK list: "No. 55354". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 31 December 1998. p. 14.
  4. ^ "New glory for sport stars". BBC News. 31 December 1998. Retrieved 6 August 2013.