 | | Rachael Latham |
Despite the fact she鈥檚 only 17, Rachael Latham already holds the British record in the 100m butterfly (S8 category) and has her sights set on bettering her fourth place finish in last year鈥檚 championships. "I hope I can get a medal and go under one minute 20," she explained as she prepared for the race, "but it will be a very competitive race. Jessica Long, the world champion, and a lot of other swimmers who went to the Worlds will be there. I will try my best and see how that does me!" Due to missing a week鈥檚 training last month through illness and the fact that she is currently cramming in final revision for her A level exams, she hasn鈥檛 had the perfect preparations, not that she鈥檚 fazed by it. "It's okay if you鈥檙e organised, fitting in training around revision, but I'm glad I've still got a couple of weeks after the championships before my first exam." Latham, who trains in Manchester and used to be coached by Sarah Bailey (before the swimming great turned her attention to cycling), made a huge stride forward in her swimming career when she won her first two international medals at last year鈥檚 IPC World Championship in South Africa - a bronze in the 100m butterfly and a silver medal in the 100m IM relay. | "Jessica Long, the world champion, and a lot of other swimmers who went to the Worlds will be there. I will try my best and see how that does me!" | | Rachael on her approach to the big race |
"The bronze in the 100m butterfly was my biggest achievement so far by far. Knowing I've medalled at the World Championships has given me much more confidence and inspired me to want to go and get more medals." Because of her youth, Latham is tipped as one of Britain's biggest hopes for gold at the 2012 London Paralympics. More immediately though, she is looking ahead to the Beijing games next year. "Every event this year is training for Beijing. The Worlds were my first major event away from home and they gave me great experience. "No one wants to come fourth at the Paralympics. My aim is to medal in Beijing. I will try my very best and see what happens." The Paralympic World Cup swimming is on Saturday 12 May at the Manchester Aquatics Centre. Heats are from 10am and finals from 3pm. | 
