THEYDON Bois swimmer Emma Hollis will make her BT Paralympic World Cup debut this week in Manchester – and has vowed not to think about anything else.
The 18-year-old will swim on the international stage for the only the second time in her fledgling career at the Manchester Aquatics Centre in the 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
Hollis had an international debut to remember at last year’s European Championships, scooping 100m breaststroke silver, 100m butterfly and freestyle and 200m medley bronze.
The Epping Forest District Swimming Club flyer has seen her 2010 progress limited by her A-levels but Hollis insists the World Cup will provide a much needed break from her studies.
“It will be my first time at the World Cup and I can’t wait for it, it is going to be a great occasion and hopefully I can do myself justice,” said Hollis.
Hollis was absent from the 30-strong British team announced for this summer’s World Championships in the build up to the World Cup, which is now in its sixth year.
She didn’t expect to make the squad bound for Eindhoven in August but has vowed to finish on the podium at the World Cup.
“It was a shame not to make the World Championship team but I didn’t expect to get on it really,” she added.
“I need to approach every competition with the same sort of mental attitude and that is to win medals, preferably gold ones.”
The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking place from 25-31 May and features the world’s leading international Paralympic athletes in athletics, football 7-a-side, swimming and wheelchair basketball – www.btparalympicworldcup.com.
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