Paralympic swimmer Anthony Stephens going to give it his all at Games (From This is The West Country)
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Paralympic swimmer Anthony Stephens going to give it his all at Games
9:00am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Sport By Daniel Milligan
Anthony Stephens
WATCH out for swimmer Anthony Stephens as he hopes to make waves at the Paralympic Games which start on Thursday (August 30).
The specialist freestyle swimmer, who lives in Highbridge, won two bronzes and silver at Athens eight years ago, and a bronze medal in Beijing in 2008.
Stephens, 26, moved into the Paralympic Village this week and got a tour of the venues and stadium.
He has been chosen to represent Team GB in the 50m freestyle (S5), 200m freestyle (S5), 50m backstroke (S5) and the 50m butterfly (S5) in London, with the aim of grabbing an elusive Paralympic gold on home soil.
Stephens was born with three disabled limbs and was taught to swim by his dad from the age of just three.
Despite missing the opening ceremony tonight (August 29), Stephens told the Weekly News that it is going to be the best Games of his career.
He added: “I'm just going to go out there and smash my body to its limit and whatever the outcome is I know I couldn't do any more under these circumstances.
“I want to go out and enjoy the experience as having a whole nation in my corner in my home turf will never happen in my life time again.
“I’ve been struggling with injuries for the last year and I’m not in my best shape but we have a great team of physios and support staff behind us working on getting me able to race.
“I’ve had a long career, 11 years as GB team member, and as a swimmer all the training takes its toll on your body.”
The opening ceremony is televised on Channel 4 this evening (August 29), starting at 8pm.
When to watch (Channel 4):
- 50m freestyle (S5) – Today (Thursday); heats between 9.30am & 12.05pm; final between 5.30pm & 9.20pm.
- 200m freestyle (S5) - Saturday; heats between 9.30am & 12.35pm; final between 5.30pm & 9.20pm.
- 50m backstroke (S5) – Next Thursday (September 6); heats between 9.30am & 12.20pm; final between 5.30pm & 9.15pm.
- 50m butterfly (S5) – Next Friday (September 7); heats between 9.30am and 12.30pm; final between 5.30pm and 9.20pm.
You can follow Anthony on Twitter @antswimming and show your support by leaving a comment below.
