‘It’s a dream come true to be picked for Paralympics’

LOUGHBOROUGH speedster Thomas Young admits his longawaited Paralympics debut is a dream come true, writes Oscar Maung-Haley of Sportbeat.

Young, 20, is a three-time European champion and has now been officially selected in the ParalympicsGB team for Japan.

He soared to 2019 World Championship silver in Doha and versatile Young, who competes in the T38 100m and 200m events, says booking his spot on the plane is beyond his wildest dreams.

“I’m really excited,” explained Young, left, one of over 1,000 athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme.

“Growing up as an athlete, representing your country on the highest level of the world stage is everyone’s dream.

“Now I’ve been selected, it’s really exciting, and it’s only eight weeks away.

“I think because it’s my first one, I don’t know what to expect in Tokyo but I know it’s going to be different.

“It has to be to keep everyone safe – but I’m definitely still very excited.”

UK Sport’s National Lotteryfunded World Class Programme allows Young to train full-time, access the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering technology, science and medical support. Lockdown was tough on the London-born ace but training in his back garden has helped him stay in tip-top condition. “I really want to go there and win gold, especially after my silver at the World Championships in Dubai and my gold from the Euros,” said Young, who will be hoping to add to the 864 Olympic and Paralympic medals won by Great Britain and Northern Ireland athletes since the advent of National Lottery funding in 1997.

“I want to go to Tokyo and I want to win gold – that’s my goal.

“Every day in the build-up will get more and more exciting because each day is more important.

“We’re eight weeks and a few days away before I race, so my plan is to come to training, love it and then try and learn something new each day.” ■■No one does more to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes than National Lottery players, who raise around £36 million each week for good causes. Discover the positive impact playing the National Lottery has on sport at www. lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and get involved by using the hashtags: #TNLAthletes #TracktoTokyo

I really want to win gold, especially after my silver at the World Championships and my gold from the Euros