Gillian Treers

Despite never winning an ASA title, Gillian Treers was a Great Britain international and competed at the Mexico Olympics. She was third in the ASA 110 yards freestyle in 1968 and 1969, when she was runner-up to Margaret Auton in the 110 yards butterfly. Also in 1969, Steers was third in the 220 butterfly, and in 1970 was runner-up to Ireland’s Vicki Smith.

Having made her Great Britain international début against Poland at Coventry in 1968, Treers was selected for the Mexico Olympics where she took part in both the 100 metres freestyle and butterfly. She was eliminated in her freestyle heat but reached the butterfly semi-final, where she finished last of eight in a race won by Ada Kok.

Treers left the St. James ASC to join the strong Beckenham club in 1970, and she enjoyed immediate success as part of their winning medley relay squad at the National Championships. Steers went to that year’s British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh but failed to win a medal despite reaching the 200 metres butterfly final.