Bournemouth University student Leo McCrea has his eyes on a medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
Leo, 20, from Poole, began swimming when he was six years old and hasn’t looked back.
His older sister, Jasmine, inspired him to get in the pool, and he says his love for the sport has kept him coming back.
He has since won a silver medals at the World Para Swimming Championships in 2022 and 2023 and now hopes to continue that success at his second Paralympic Games.
But Leo will not bring any medals home for Team GB, instead competing for Switzerland. He is the youngest member of the country’s 27-strong Paralympics team.
“My Dad is British, but my Mum is Swiss”, Leo said. “I had to choose a side and Switzerland gave me the most opportunities, so I decided to take that.”
Dad Neil, mum Corinne, sister Jasmine and grandmother Heidi will be poolside cheering on Leo when he swims in the heats of his favourite event, the SB5 100m breaststroke at 11.15am on Sunday, September 1.
Raising a Paralympian: Leo McCrea’s mother Corinne McCrea looks back on Leo’s journey to Paris
Coach James Ryan and Leo’s support network from Bournemouth University’s Sport BU High Performance Team will also be watching on with pride with fingers crossed that he qualifies for the final at 7.45pm later the same day.
Leo has already had a taste of the pool at La Defense Arena when he took part in the heats of the SM6 200m Individual Medley on Friday, August 30. He was 15th fastest which was not enough to make the eight-man final.
Leo, who is studying for a degree in Sports Management at Bournemouth, also has previous Paralympic experience having competed in Tokyo in 2021, under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. He finished fifth in his favourite event on that occasion.
“I think Paris is going to be more fun,” he said, “Covid-19 is not around anymore, so all my family can come and watch me. I think it is going to be amazing.
James Ryan has been a swim coach since he was 18 and now coaches Leo at Bournemouth Collegiate School.
Leo is just a superstar, inside and outside the pool – coach James Ryan.
“Leo is just a superstar, inside and outside the pool,” said James. “He is a pleasurable swimmer to coach.”
James has a can-do attitude when coaching Leo, choosing to be led by him to make Leo the best version of himself in the pool.
“Leo has a hip impingement that means he cannot widen his hips and kick out,” he explained. “That is the most difficult thing to overcome; how do we change his stroke to make sure he can maintain his speed?”
I don’t know where I would be without swimming. I’ve been able to travel the world; it has been amazing – Leo McCrea
Leo’s training schedule has been intense in the run-up to the games, with only Sundays off to rest.
He swims between six and eight hours a week, on top of time training in the gym.
Support from his family has been crucial in Leo’s training and preparation for the Paralympics.
“The support that Leo gets from his whole family is crucial”, James said. “Knowing that goes on in the background makes my relationship with Leo much more wholesome.”
Leo added: “I don’t know where I would be without swimming. I’ve been able to travel the world; it has been amazing.”
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