British heroes inspire swimmer Grey for Beijing (From Gazette Series)

British heroes inspire swimmer Grey for Beijing

10:17am Thursday 28th August 2008 in

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THORNBURY swimmer Kate Grey is hoping that watching Great Britain’s success at the Olympics can inspire her to glory when she competes in Beijing.

Grey is part of the GB swimming squad for the paralympic games which starts on September 6 and the former Castle School pupil flew out to China last weekend.

The 19-year-old is ranked in the top five in her main event of the 200 metre Individual Medley and is in with a shout of winning a medal.

After watching the likes of Rebecca Adlington, who became the first ever British woman to win two swimming gold medals at the Olympics, and others who have returned from Beijing as heroes after one of the country’s most successful ever Games, Grey cannot wait to compete herself.

She said: “I’ve been watching the Olympics, it’s given me a look-in to what to expect and how amazing it will be. I do not feel nervous, I just want to get out there.”

“In the paralympics we usually do really well, but we do not normally get as many medals in the Olympics for swimming. To see them perform so well really boosts your confidence.

“It will be our time soon and to see the GB people get medals sends a shiver down your spine, and you think that could be me. It’s just great to be part of this amazing experience.”

Grey currently trains at the University of Bath where she is studying for a Coach Education and Sports Development degree.

She has been swimming for 14 years since starting out at Thornbury swimming club and has progressed through the British Swimming disability pyramid system.

At the paralympics, Grey will be swimming in the S9 category and finds herself up against the likes of Natalie du Toit, who was the leading junior swimmer in South Africa until losing her leg in a motorcycle accident.

Her aim in Beijing’s Water Cube is to beat her personal best time first and foremost, but she believes she has a genuine chance of returning home with a medal after an excellent preparation leading up to the Games.

“It’s going really well, I have done everything I can,” she said.

“It is my first major event, it is the biggest event I can possibly do so I hope to deal with the pressure.

“It should be an amazing experience and I just want to enjoy it. If I swim a personal best that would be good enough for me.

“In my main event, I’m in the top five in the world so anything can happen. I should be in with a chance (of a medal), it’s all about who performs well on the day.

“I want enjoy it and if I get a medal then even better.”

Grey competes in the 100 metre breast stroke on September 10 before her main event of the 200 metre Individual Medley on September 11.

Post your good luck messages for Kate below.