Swimmer Shaw on quest for Paralympic medal double

Scottish swimmer Toni Shaw hopes home comforts in the build-up to this summer’s Paralympic Games will enhance her bid for another medal on the biggest stage.

Shaw, 20, won Britain’s first swimming medal at the last Paralympics in Tokyo when she claimed bronze in the women’s S9 400m freestyle.

She then left her native north-east to swim and study at the University of Stirling but has now returned to the Granite City, where she is part of the University of Aberdeen’s Performance Swimming programme.

"I love working in Aberdeen. The squad I am in, everyone is so friendly," she told BBC Sport Scotland.

"It is like I get to go swimming with most of my best friends every day, so it is just a really nice thing to be part of.

"I am so comfortable in Aberdeen, it was just right for me at the time, there was no significant thing that made me want to move, it was just right for me.

"I am really happy where I am just now and working with Patrick [Miley, high performance coach] is really good.

"It is probably the most important part; you are going to the pool eight times a week so if you are not going there and enjoying it, it is just not going to work. Being with such a positive squad definitely helps."

Her preparation for Paris has been far from ideal though, with a stress injury in her lower back hampering her season.

Nevertheless, Shaw was still able to achieve the Paralympic qualifying time in the 400m freestyle.

And if history is any guide, she will be in the mix for medals in France this summer.

Shaw was Team Scotland’s youngest member at the 2018 Commonwealth Games when she competed on the Gold Coast aged 14.

Since then she has amassed an impressive array of major medals at World, European and Commonwealth level.

But the bronze medal in Tokyo on her Paralympic debut remains the undoubted highlight.

"That is the biggest meet and to be able to be on the podium was just incredible," she recalled.

"I know there was no crowd there but the whole British team were there and I know the whole of my friends and family at home were watching so it was really special.

"When it comes to swimming, how old you are doesn't really matter, everyone is in the same race. I was lucky to get to start young and I am hopefully still going to be able to keep going a while longer.

"I still get the same feeling every time I go to a big competition as I did the first one, you are still super nervous, super excited and I don't think that feeling will ever go.

"But having more experience of racing at bigger competitions definitely helps."