Striving to Achieve

Stuart Bloor, 17, from Crewe, is currently in training for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia but his true ambition is to compete in the Paralympics in 2008.

Stuart won a bronze medal in the Paralympics swimming trials this year (Mens 100m backstroke) and was only 3 seconds away from qualifying for the Paralympics in Athens despite suffering from an injury during the previous 7 months. "It was absolutely amazing when I heard that I had won the bronze, I couldn't believe it" explained Stuart. Stuart has been watching the swimming very closely from the comfort of his armchair but had a particular interest as 3 of the athletes are his coaches.

Stuart is the Junior National Record holder for 100m back stroke and has been for the past 4 years. He swims with Crewe Flyers club and has also competed with the North West regional squad, Disability Sport England, and swam for Great Britain twice at the Double Dutch Open in Holland in January this year and 2002.

His training schedule is very rigorous and Stuart trains at Crewe 5 mornings and 5 evenings a week and every Sunday in Manchester at the Commonwealth Pool. "I have to increase my distance from 80,000 metres to 120,000 metres within the next 5 months to train for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. I'm not on a particular diet but try to eat lots of energising food and carbohydrates. The selection is very tight and they hope that everyone will achieve a medal" said Stuart. "My next competition is the Senior Short Course Nationals held in Ponds Forge in Sheffield on 6 and 7 November 2004."

Stuart is a student at South Cheshire College studying AVCE in Science and is planning to go to University to study Sports Psychology or Sports Science when he leaves. "There's a Fitness Centre at college open to students and the public which is very handy. I'm going to join when I can fit it in!".

For young people with disabilities who want to get into Sports, Stuart had this advice "I suggest they have to try it. There's no point in wishing you could do something, you'll never know until you try it."