Archive - Wednesday, 6 October 2004


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Swimmer returns home after success

CWMBRAN swimming hero Gareth Duke still can't believe he's a Paralympic champion.

The 18-year-old stunned a fervent Athens crowd by beating world record holder Travis Mohr and setting a new Paralympic record to win the 100m breaststroke final. And back at his home in Maindee Way in Cwmbran, the gold medal winner admitted: "I'm still waiting for it all to sink in!"

"I can't believe it," added Gareth who also won a bronze in the 50-metre freestyle event.

"I never dreamt I would get this far. When I cried getting my medal I just couldn't stop. My mum and dad were crying too. It was just the proudest moment of my life."

Gareth only took up competitive swimming two-years-ago and this was his first ever Paralympics. He suffers with a condition that effects his growth but that hasn't stopped the teenage star from becoming one of the sport's brightest young swimmers and a gold medal winner.

"I was confident going into the final and was pleased with the way I raced. But I still couldn't believe it when I won. It was just totally amazing. I've raced all over the world in places like Argentina and Germany, but this was the best experience I have ever had. I'll never forget it. Mixing with all the other athletes in the village was great," said Gareth who set a new record of 1.29.93s.

The young star has had to work hard for his success training six-days a week at Wales' only 50-metre pool in Swansea. He's been supported along the way with funding from the Sports Council for Wales.

Despite joining the likes of Tanni Grey Thompson as one of Britain's 35 Paralympic gold medal winners Gareth doesn't plan basking in his new found fame for long. After just a short break he's diving back in the pool with both eyes firmly focused on the next games in Beijing in four years' time.

"I'm definitely aiming for Beijing now and getting gold there. I think I've got a great chance of doing that and as a swimmer I think I can get better," he said.