Scholarship winner to compete in Paralympics

Being born with dwarfism hasn't deterred Sean Clare from reaching his full potential as an athlete. Now he is celebrating news that he's in Great Britain's Paralympics team and has been given a Sporting Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University.

From a young age, the 18-year-old from Widnes has always loved sports and has tried everything from football to swimming. He admits he wasn't "too good" at these but quickly realised he had a talent for shot putt.

As a disabled athlete, Sean is extremely focused, participating in able-bodied competitions to help push himself to the highest possible level.

This drive to excel has paid dividends and Sean already has many outstanding achievements to his name. As well as being part of the Great Britain Development Squad, he is a double World Junior gold medallist in shot putt and discus and is the British Record Holder in the shot putt.

"I've never let my condition to get in the way of enjoying my life" said Sean. "From the age of six I've always been involved in sports and enjoy all aspects of training. With the shot putt I've really worked my way up and from the distances I'd been throwing I knew I was in with a good chance of competing in the Paralympics. I love competing and that feeling of winning is like no other so I'm delighted that I've been picked for Great Britain."

In the words of his coach, "Sean is a very talented young athlete who will, without a doubt, compete in the Paralympics whether it be London 2012 or Rio 2016." There is no doubt that Sean has a bright future in athletics but he is also determined to achieve his academic ambitions.

Sean, who is studying for a BA (Hons) Sports Development degree, has shown in abundance sheer determination, commitment and achievement towards everything that he does, which is why he has been given the scholarship.

When he found out the news, he said: "I couldn't believe it, I was so surprised. The scholarship will really help me with competitions and to realise my ambitions of taking part in the Paralympics."

He plans to use the scholarship to help him continue his athletics training during his study at Edge Hill and enable him to continue on his path towards recognising his dream of competing at the highest level as a future Paralympian.