Daniel Bell (Australian swimmer)

Daniel Bell (born 31 August 1984)[1] is an Australian swimmer born in American Samoa, who has won five Paralympic medals from 2000 to 2008.

Daniel Bell
2000 Australian Paralympic Team portrait of Bell
Personal information
Nationality Australia
Born (1984-08-31) 31 August 1984
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Medal record
Swimming
Paralympic Games
2004 Athens Men's 4x100 m Medley Relay 34 pts
2004 Athens 100m Butterfly S10
2004 Athens 100m Breaststroke SB9
2004 Athens Men's 4x100 m Freestyle 34 pts
2000 Sydney Men's 4x100 m Medley Relay 34 pts
IPC Swimming World Championships
2006 DurbanMen's 4x100 m Medley Relay 34 Points
2002 Mar Del PlataMen's 100 m Freestyle Relay 34 pts
2002 Mar Del PlataMen's 100 m Butterfly S10

Personal

Bell was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa.[2] He was adopted by Liz Bell, a volunteer in a Samoan hospital, at the age of six months. Doctors informed her that he had cerebral palsy and brain damage, and was blind. His adoptive mother brought him back to Ocean Grove, near Geelong, determined to get support for his disabilities. He developed his swimming at Christian College, Geelong.[3] He works as a commercial diver.[4]

On 30 August 2012, he was convicted of stalking and burglary charges to which he had pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates' Court. The charges related to incidents involving two women in December 2011 and January 2012; while they were away from their houses, he trespassed into their bedrooms, took his clothes off, and entered their beds. His defence lawyer stated that the incidents were due to an adverse reaction to a generic drug after being prescribed a brand-name version, and said: "He was hearing voices and ... was no longer in control of himself." He was placed on an 18-month community corrections order that required him to undergo mental health treatment and rehabilitation, along with programs to prevent re-offending.[5][6]

Career
Close up action shot of Bell at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics
Bell in the pool at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics

Bell began his international career with a bronze medal at the 1999 FESPIC Games in Bangkok, Thailand.[1] He competed in five events at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and one a bronze medal in the men's 4x100 m medley relay 34 pts event.[4] At the 2004 Athens Games, he won a gold medal in the men's 4 x 100 m medley relay 34 points and three silver medals in the men's 100 m butterfly S10, men's 100 m breaststroke SB9 and men's 4 x 100 m freestyle relay 34 points events.[4][7]

He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for winning the gold medal,[7] but resigned as a member of the Order and returned the medal on 8 July 2013.[8] He competed in four events at the 2008 Beijing Games but did not win a medal.[4]

At the 2002 IPC Swimming World Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, he won a bronze medal in the men's 100 m butterfly S10 and at the 2006 Championships in Durban, South Africa he won a gold medal in men's 4 x100 m medley relay S34 points.[9]

From 2003 to 2008 he held an Australian Institute of Sport paralympic swimming scholarship.[10] He is coached at Geelong City Aquatic Club by Lucky Weerakkody.[11]

References
  1. Australian media guide 2000 Paralympic Games Sydney Australia October 18–29, 2000 – Australian 2000 Paralympic team. Sydney: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2000. p. 126.
  2. Media Guide Athens 2004 (PDF). Sydney: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2004. p. 73. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  3. "Paralympian shines at national swim titles". 7.30 Report, 28 March 2005. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  4. "Athlete Search Results Daniel Bell". IPC Historical Results Database. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  5. Matthews, Karen (30 August 2012). "Paralympic gold medallist stalked women". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  6. Herbison, Michelle (31 August 2012). "Lawyer blames drug for disturbing behaviour: Paralympian 'stalker'". Geelong Independent. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  7. "Bell, Daniel, OAM". It's an Honour. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  8. Resignation of member of the Order of Australia in the General Division made to Mr Daniel Bell, Commonwealth Government Gazette C2013G01045, 8 July 2013.
  9. "Daniel Bell Profile". IPC Swimming Website. International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  10. "AIS Roll of Honour for the Paralympics". Australian Sports Commission Website. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  11. Craven, Denis (1 April 2008). "Geelong swimmers Daniel Bell and Sarah Bowen qualify for Beijing Paralympics". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
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