Bournemouth University sports scholar Leo McCrea continued his preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic games with success at the NSC Winter Festival Open Meet 2023 on 16 and 17 December.
Switching from short course to long course for the first time this season, Leo made waves on Saturday with an outstanding performance in the 200m individual medley, clocking an impressive 3:03.35, well below the Paralympic consideration requirement of 3:06.87.
He followed up this by delving into uncharted waters with the 50 metre breaststroke, a discipline he had yet to explore. He completed his heat in 40.75 seconds, breaking the British Swimming All Members long course record that had stood for eleven years.
Leo went on to break this record again in the final, setting a blistering time of 40.04 seconds, just 0.6 seconds short of the world record time.
His outstanding form continued the following day as he achieved a personal best in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:29.87 in the finals.
Speaking after the competition, Leo said “With every stroke, I'm vibing with dedication and winning. Smashing records and hitting personal bests fills me with thanks and grit. It's all about teamwork, and this success is a shoutout to the awesome support around me!"
His coach, Sam Woodward, expressed enthusiasm about his performance, stating, "This has been a fantastic and encouraging way for Leo to complete the year of 2023, serving as a stepping stone to intensify his training schedule leading into 2024. His achievements over the weekend will undoubtedly propel him towards the Europeans and, ultimately, the Paris Paralympics."
In August last year, Leo secured his place at the Paralympic Games in Paris, where he will compete for Switzerland, by winning silver medal in the World Championships.
Martin Wells, High Performance Sport Manager at SportBU said, “As Leo McCrea continues to break barriers and set new standards in Paralympic swimming, Bournemouth University proudly stands by its Leo, cheering him on as he embarks on a journey that promises even greater accomplishments in 2024.”
"The Bournemouth University community has been instrumental in my journey,” said Leo. “From smashing long-standing British records to achieving personal bests, their unwavering support propels me forward. The one-to-one Pilates sessions with Nikki and strength conditioning with Dan, facilitated by my scholarship, not only enhance my physical abilities but also provide essential reassurance against injuries. This support system is invaluable as I gear up for the British International Para Swimming Meet, Europeans Champs, and the ultimate challenge—the Paris Paralympics in August 2024."
