Leo McCrea, 20, from Poole, won gold in the SB5 100m breaststroke final at the Paralympic Games tonight (Sunday, 1 September).
The Bournemouth University student won his first Paralympics medal for Switzerland at La Defense Arena in Paris this evening.
A great start saw Leo two metres clear after the first length and he held off the competition to claim gold in 1:27.15.
In his post-race interview, Leo said: “I hardly have words, because for the last few years after Tokyo, missing out on a medal and (Covid-19) lockdown, was so tough for me. To become the Paralympic champion now feels like a dream and really amazing.
“It’s been a long journey up to here, and obviously it’s never going to be easy to become a Paralympic champion.
“After lockdown I had a hard look at myself and I had a lot of stuff to do to get back to the top, and now I’m here. It’s crazy.
If it hadn’t been for my family I wouldn’t be swimming right now.
“I was close to quitting and if it hadn’t been for my family I wouldn’t be swimming right now. I probably owe it all to them, so my medal is for them because they really helped support me.”
Leo finished fifth in Tokyo and had a dramatic win in his heat this morning at 1:32.44, making him the third fastest qualifier.
His family including his Swiss mother Corinne, father Neil, sister Jasmine and grandmother Heidi were watching his victory poolside.
I never doubted him. Incredible!
Neil told Buzz News: “I never doubted him. He said he had to be a body length ahead at halfway and he was more than that. Incredible!”
Supporters at the Swiss Embassy’s Maison Suisse fan zone also cheered his win.
This is the first time his family have seen him swim live at the Paralympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic halting his family’s plans to travel to Japan.
Poole Swimming Club is where Leo’s swimming career started. After being spotted by Team GB Paralympic legend Ellie Simmonds’ mother when he was only six years old, he was inspired to jump into the pool.
Leo studies Sports Management at Bournemouth University and also receives in his words “top notch coaching,” from the BU Sport High Performance Team.
Sports BU strength and conditioning coach Ben Kaiser said: “Really proud of how he’s done. It’s a testament to all the hard work he’s put in this year.”
Leo is not the only athlete with Bournemouth University connections to make a mark at the Paris Paralympics.
Fellow swimmer Alice Tai, 25, who was born in Poole, won gold in the S8 100m backstroke in a Paralympic record time of 1:09.06 seconds. She also picked up bronze in the SM8 200m individual medley.
She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bournemouth University in 2022 in recognition of her role as an ambassador for sport and an inspirational role model.
Wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker, 44, from Three Legged Cross near Verwood, was one of ParalympicsGB’s opening ceremony flagbearers.
She will compete in the singles and the doubles alongside new partner Abbie Breakwell, 21, at Roland Garros, the home of the French Open tennis, in what will be her fifth Paralympics.
Liam McGarry will compete in para-powerlifting in his first Paralympics. He graduated from Bournemouth University in 2020 with a degree in Sports Psychology and Coaching.
Finally, BU Marketing graduate Milly Pickles is one of the presenters for Channel 4, which is the UK broadcaster screening the Paris Paralympics.
Bournemouth University student Leo McCrea through to Paralympics swimming final