Video: Ollie Hynd on overcoming the startline pressure
Notts multiple gold medallist Ollie Hynd says Paralympians have to overcome a ‘massive amount’ of startline pressure to claim gold.
The Mansfield swimmer won two golds and beat two world records in the S8 400m freestyle and the SM8 200m individual medley at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Ollie says that while some don’t ‘manage to step up to the plate’ under the pressure, he managed to keep his focus to be successful.
Speaking on Sports Week, he said: “It comes around every four years and it’s not something that should be taken for granted.
“People don’t realise that it comes down to years of training, dedication, getting up early and spending hours in the pool per day.
“It comes down to one moment on the day; there is a lot of pressure but luckily in Rio everything came together for me.”
You want to stand on a podium representing your country over and over
Ollie is also targeting to be on the team in four years that will take part in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
He said: “I’m still enjoying my break from Rio because four years is a long time as it’s important to recharge and reset the goals.
“There are world championships, Commonwealth games and of course Tokyo in four years time to prepare for.
“Once you get a taste of standing on a podium and representing your country, you just want to do it over and over again!”
For more from Ollie, watch the November 2 episode of Sports Week on Notts TV at 7.30pm, or see our catch up service from 8pm, where the entire series is also available on demand.
