Oliver Hynd had a fantastic run in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley SM8 – Heats, with a time just over 5 seconds faster than his nearest rival.

All swimmers qualify:

2.26.94 Oliver Hynd (ENG)
2.31.97 Jesse Aungles (AUS)
2.34.83 Blake Cochrane (AUS)
2.41.56 Sharath Gayakwad (IND)
3.22.11 Amila Kumarasiri (SRI)

Oliver HYND (ENG)

On the race:
“I am definitely happy with that. It was quite comfortable. I am going to go back now and get some rest before the final (later in the day).”

On the pressure of being the favourite:
“There is no extra pressure. The only pressure I have is from myself.”

On racing against the same swimmers in the heat and the final:
“It could be slightly different if there were different swimmers, but you race whoever is in the final and do your best.”

About the athletes…

Oliver Hynd

oliver_hynd Classification

S8, SB8, SM8 

Type of Impairment
Impaired muscle power 

Impairment Details
He has neuromuscular myopathy, a degenerative condition that weakens the muscles in his legs. 

Start of sporting career
He began competing at age nine at the Nottinghamshire County Championships in England. 

Reason for taking up this sport
He found he enjoyed the sport and was good at it too. 

Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Most memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold and sharing a podium with his brother Sam at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. ( 

Hero
US swimmer Michael Phelps. 

Most influential person in career
Coach Glenn Smith, brother Sam.  

Superstitions / Rituals
He gets onto his starting block from the left side, and always listens to the same song before he competes. 

Sporting philosophy / motto
“Always do your best. Control the controllables.”  

An earlier interview Able had with Ollie can be found  Here

More to follow