Athlete Profile

Events

2009 IPC European Swimming Championships, Iceland

• Silver 100m breaststroke 1:14.70

2009 INAS-FID Global Games, Czech Republic

• Gold 4 x 100 Medley Relay 4:26.02 (WR)
• Bronze 4 x 50 Medley Relay 02:07.06

2008 INAS-FID European Swimming Championships, Poland

• Silver 1500m freestyle 18.48.44
• Silver 200 breaststroke 2:45.94

2007 INAS-FID World Swimming Championships, Belgium

• Gold 4 X 200 Freestyle Relay (WR)
• Silver 4 x 50 Medley Relay
• Silver 4 x 100m Medley Relay
• Silver 200m Backstroke
• Bronze 1500m Freestyle

2006 INAS-FID European Championships, Hungary

• Gold 200m Backstroke
• Gold 200m Breaststroke
• Gold 4 x 100m Medley Relay
• Gold 4 x 50m Medley Relay
• Silver 1500m Freestyle
• Bronze 100m Backstroke
• Bronze 100m Breaststroke

2004 INAS-FID Global Games, Sweden

• Bronze 200m Breaststroke

2001 INAS-FID European Swimming Championships

• Gold 4x100m Freestyle Relay
• Silver 4x100m Medley Relay

Records Held

4 x 100 Medley Relay	S14	Czech Republic	2009	4:26.02	WR
4 x 200m Freestyle Relay	S14	Belgium	2007	8:47.51	WR
200m Backstroke	S14	Belgium	2007	2:31.33
200m Backstroke	S14	Czech Republic	2005	2:33.50
1500m Freestyle	S14	Canterbury	2003	19:00.21	ER
800m Freestyle	S14	Canterbury	2003	9:58.99	ER
200m Breaststroke	S14	Sweden	2002	2:51.22	BR
100m Backstroke	S14	Clays Cross	2000	1:12.02	BR

Nicholas had tried many sports as a child, but just didn't enjoy them. When he was about 8 years old his sister started to take him to the pool. At first he hated swimming until someone suggested he try joining a swimming club. He eventually jointed Ashford Swimming Club and that was the turning point after which everything changed for him. He realised swimming was something that gave him independence and it was something he was good at. It gave him real confidence and his swimming career progressed from there.

Nicholas currently trains with City of Canterbury and enjoys working with his training partner at the club Emma Drabble. Some healthy competition during his training sessions means that Emma and Nicholas continue to push each other to see who is really the fastest!.

Nicholas has represented Great Britain on 7 occasions being selected for the UKSA GB Team each year between 1999 - 2009 and has recently been selected by British Swimming to represent Great Britain at the 2009 IPC European Swimming Championships in Iceland.

Career Highlights

In 2007 breaking the World Record by 18 seconds in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay

Secrets of Success

Working had, getting support from everyone around him, his club and coach, home life, funding and his racing partner Emma!

Advice to Young Athletes Starting Out

You only get out what you put in!

Relaxation and Free Time

Loves football, particularly Manchester United; Music - "Queen" and enjoys the Playstation

What changes would he like to see in sport?

Would like to be let into the Paralympic Games. Proper funding as it's difficult to keep going with little financial support. For everyone to have the same chances as he has had to swim in a mainstream club.

Future Ambition

That's easy - London 2012!

Other Achievements

• 2008 Invited by Ashford Borough Council to raise the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic flag in the borough as part of the 2012 handover of the Games from Beijing to London
• 2008 Sporting Ambassador for Active Ashford, the Borough's Sports Partnership
• Nominated in 2006 & 2007 for BBC South East Disability Sports Personality of the Year