[1] Kenneth Cairns MBE (born 20 December 1957) is a British swimmer who won five Paralympic gold medals across five Games, along with several world titles.

[15] He broke several records in swimming events, and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2001 New Year Honours for services to disabled sports.

[19][20] At the age of 16 Cairns was involved in a motorcycle accident which resulted in damage to his spine and left him confined to a wheelchair.

[21] He returned to the pool in 1982 and began competed in class S3 events up until he retired due to ill health just before the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

[15] At one such event Cairns met and inspired Andrew Mullen who went on to find World Championship and Paralympic swimming success.