TOKYO’S Paralympic games are set to kick off later this month- and some Lancashire athletes are getting ready to represent our country in the games.

Among them is Thomas Hamer who comes from Rossendale who will be trying to secure a medal or two in swimming.

He has already landed in Tokyo and will be eagerley preparing for the games before they kick off on 24 August. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Thomas Hamer- including when you can watch him:

23-year-old Thomas Hamer is from Rawtenstall in the borough of Rossendale.

(Instagram/ tomhamer14)

He is an S14 paralympic swimmer, meaning he has an intellectual disability.

This typically leads to the athletes having difficulties with regards to pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory, or having a slower reaction time, which impact on sport performance in general.

Moreover, S14 swimmers show a higher number of strokes relative to their speed than able-bodied elite swimmers.

(YouTube/ParalympicsGB)

In a YouTube video posted by Paralympics GB, Tom opened up about his journey to the Tokyo Olympics- and the adversity he faced on the way.

He said: “I say my job is not swimming- it’s tile counting. I count  tiles for a living at the bottom of the pool.

“I do switch off, especially as an S14 with an intellectual disability.

“So I dive straight in, do what I do, then I forget and I just literally think about the world, my family, life, everything… my brain just goes everywhere.”

Explaining his disability, he said: “I’ve got learning difficulties, I really struggle with reading, writing understanding things.

“Inside I feel as normal as anyone else- but when it comes to pen to paper and understanding certain things… that’s where I really do struggle.”

“A lot of people don’t understand invisible disability… I do get a lot of horrible messages.”

Tom also struggled with school and said his experience in education was “heart-breaking”.

He added: “I got diagnosed at school and I always struggled throughout school.

“Kids at school don’t understand that and they think you’re different and they call you names… it was just heart-breaking at school.”

However, Thomas has overcome the adversity he faced at school, winning medals and breaking records.

He has secured medals in numerous events, including at Commonwealth and European levels.

This isn’t is first Paralympic games as he also competed in Rio back in 2016 when he claimed two silver medals in the S14 200m Freestyle and SM14 200m Individual Medley.

After securing his first silver, Hamer said: “I’m really happy with that. I came in here to win it so I’m happy but disappointed. “I just thought I would get it but the [winner] came out of nowhere.

“I’m in the best shape of my life so far, I’m only 18, I’ve got a couple more years to come and hopefully going forward my rivals won’t be anywhere near me. I’ve got a lot more in the tank.”

(Instagram/ tomhamer14)

When can I watch Thomas Hamer?

The Paralympic games officially kick off next Tuesday (24 August) and will conclude on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

The Paralympics will be shown live on Channel 4 and More 4.

Thomas is competing in the S14 Freestyle 200m swimming on Friday 27th August and Relay swimming on Saturday 28th August.

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