Kara Hanlon

• European Championship medalist
• Multiple British Champion
• Scottish Record Holder 

International breaststroke swimmer Kara Hanlon has made her mark on the global stage, becoming one of Scotland’s leading performers and a pioneering athlete from the Western Isles.

Kara Hanlon has established herself as one of Scotland’s leading breaststroke swimmers and an outstanding ambassador for university sport.

During her time as a student-athlete, Kara rose to prominence on the international stage. Her Scotland debut came in 2022 when she earned selection for the Commonwealth Games, reaching the finals of the 50m and 100m breaststroke as well as the 4x100m medley relay. A few weeks later, she was selected to represent Aquatics GB at the European Championships, where she reached multiple semi-finals and the final of the 100m breaststroke, underlining her status among the world’s elite.

In 2023, Kara’s success continued when she was selected to compete at that summer’s  World Championships. Later that year, at the European Short Course Swimming Championships she contributed to a bronze medal in the 4x100m medley relay. Domestically, she is a multiple British champion and the Scottish record holder in the 50m Breaststroke.

Originating from the Western Isles, Kara has broken new ground as the first athlete from the region to be selected for both the Commonwealth Games and the senior British team. She stands as the most decorated Western Isles medallist in Island Games history. Her journey from island swimming to the global stage is a powerful reflection of dedication, resilience and excellence.

Kara Hanlon’s achievements, both in the pool and as a proud graduate of the University of Edinburgh, make her a richly deserving inductee into the University of Edinburgh Sport Hall of Fame.