Talented swimmer planning to write his name in history books

Burnley Bobcat Thomas Hamer is on world-record pace in the pool – and the teenager plans to officially write his name in the history books next time he’s in action.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2014, 09:00 BST
Tom Hamer met Sir Chris HoyTom Hamer met Sir Chris Hoy
Tom Hamer met Sir Chris Hoy

The 15-year-old is an S14 category swimmer – for athletes with learning difficulties – and smashed the 200m freestyle record by nearly three seconds at a meet in Sheffield last month.

The time did not count as he is not officially S14-classified yet, but the record is one of many targets in a big year for the Alder Grange student, as he aims to collect a medal haul at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.

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“I beat the record by about two-and-a-half, nearly three seconds, so hopefully when I get my classification I can go on and do it again.

“Hopefully I’ll be a big favourite. It would mean the world to get to the next Olympics in Rio too.”

Hamer has been picked out as an SSE Next Generation athlete, and recently met six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy at Loughborough University.

• SSE are partnering with SportsAid to support the sporting stars of the future as part of their commitment to Glasgow 2014 and beyond with their SSE Next Generation ambassador programme. Keep up to date with the latest @YourSSE

Related topics:BurnleySSEGlasgowSheffield