Swimmer Interview - Sam Hynd
We caught up with superstar Sam Hynd before he flew off to Beijing. Now he's a gold and bronze medallist and one to look out for in 2012!
What is your main goal for Beijing?
My Goal has to be to get on the Podium and Win a Medal for GB! I am going for Gold in the S8 400 Freestyle so we will have to see how it goes on the day but I want to know I have swum my best no matter what!
Well done Sam, mission accomplished!!!
How will you prepare for your events?
In the village I will keep relaxed and focused by listening to music reading and enjoying being with Team GB!I have done a lot of work on mental edge and relaxation skills with Lauren the Mental Edge Coach so this is where I will put these skills to good use!!
Are your family going out to watch you?
Yes my Mum, Dad and brother, Ollie, are travelling to Beijing to support me at the Games as part of ''Team Hynd '' and they will be there to support the rest of the GB Swim Team of course!
What do you hope to achieve in your career?
Beijing will be my first Paralympic Games and hopefully there will be more to come. I am really excited about EVERYTHING!! It will be just an awesome experience and I cannot wait!
After Beijing, 2012 has to be my next ambition! To swim in front of a home crowd at 2012 Paralympics has to be a magical Dream! It has to be my main aim to win as many GOLD Medals and to attend as many Paralympic Games as I can. I also hope to be an ambassador in my sport for future Disability Swimmers and give back a bit of what has been given to me.
How did you get into swimming?
I started swimming when I was about 5 or 6 doing the ASA Badge scheme and joined a local able bodied swimming club, Sutton SC, at the age of 9. I have always had a go at sport but swimming has been the one I have done most as it is non weight bearing which with my disability I am able to do like anyone else.
How do you find training with an able bodied club?
I have always trained at an able bodied club and I don't think of myself as being any different to anyone else there. At Nova everyone just treats me the same, I am 'Sam' and not a disabled swimmer so its great!
I would not be where I am now I think if I was not training with an able bodied club like Nova. It stretches and encourages me as there is always someone a bit faster than me who I want to still try and beat!!!
Do the coaches adapt your training at all?
The coaches at Nova, Glenn and Bill, know about my disability but I do the same sets as everyone else, except the kick sets and they just adapt that bit for me. They treat me like everyone else which is good.
Tell us about your schedule.
I train every day except Sunday, which is my rest day! I train early mornings and then again in an evening in the pool. I do about 18-20 hours a week in the pool but I also do 4 Gym sessions each week as well.
Who is your sporting hero?
I don't think I have just one sporting hero but I have lots of role models that I admire in sport including my GB Team mates! I think my sporting heroes are the ones who work hard at their sport and give 100% and enjoy it!!
If you could be someone else for the day, who would you be?
I don't think I wish to be anyone else for a day as I am living my dream every day in my sport. It has given me so much in my life already, which I am so grateful for and hopefully much more to come
What's your motto?
One of my mottos is: Dream it..... Believe it........... ACHIEVE IT!!!
