Paralympic champion Ellie Robinson aims to show how she has progressed in Tokyo

Paralympic champion Ellie Robinson hopes to show the world how she has progressed as an athlete and person at Tokyo 2020.

Monday 24 August marks one year to go until the start of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which were delayed by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And Northampton Swimming Club’s Robinson is relishing the chance to represent her country again on the biggest stage in world swimming after a successful debut Paralympics performance at Rio 2016.

The 18-year-old won a gold medal in the 50m S6 Butterfly and picked up a bronze in the 100m S6 Freestyle four years ago and recalls the excitement of being on poolside in Brazil.

She told ParalympicsGB: “My most cherished memory from Rio 2016 was walking onto poolside of the warm up pool each day.

“Despite only being 15 I felt at home in a competitive environment amongst the other athletes.

“I felt excited to be performing on a global stage and throughout the three weeks we were there, the anticipation I felt each time I stepped into the venue, never diminished in the slightest.

“What I’m looking forward to about Tokyo, is taking the experience I gained in Rio and proving to myself how I have progressed as an athlete.

True sense of equality

“There’s a great amount of sentimental value surrounding my experiences in 2016 and I hope to be able to reflect upon my time in Tokyo and see how I’ve grown as an athlete and a person.”

Robinson admits she is proud to represent her country and hopes to change perspectives surrounding disabilities.

“Being a part of ParalympicsGB for me is the mark of my professionalism as an athlete,” she said. “Being able to wear the ParalympicsGB kit instils a great amount of pride in me.

“The best thing about being a Paralympic athlete is the platform to change perspectives surrounding disabilities.

“The growing interest around Paralympic sport is helping to achieve the integration of disabilities into everyday society.

“I’m grateful for the voice Paralympic sport has given me to speak as an athlete, not just someone with a disability.

“The professionalism and athleticism of Paralympic sport is lessening the need for labels of “able bodied” and “disabled”, to produce a true sense of equality.”

Read more of Ellie’s interview and find out what sport she would love to do if she wasn’t swimming by reading the ParalympicGB’s Inside Track.