Olympic star ‘glad to get back to normal’

The 23-year-old from Mansfield, who scooped two bronze medals, said she was enjoying having a more relaxed life and taking some time out from swimming.

She said: “It’s been nice that I can just wake up when I want, eat what I want.

“I don’t have to be like I should have sandwiches and fuel myself in the right way, I can have chips if I want.

“If I want to have an ice lolly I can, if I want to have something at 4pm, I can.

“It’s been such a privilege to do that, its unbelievable how it’s been great to be normal, people take it for granted.

“It’s been nice to not have to think about getting in a pool or any pressure or getting back into racing or even think I’m going training at this time.”

She added: “The whole thing, even afterwards, the support that we’re still getting even now is just incredible and everyone’s really sad it’s over.”

The Leeds-based stars of the Paralympics will be honoured tomorrow at a special celebration event in the city.

Athletics star Hannah Cockroft, cyclist David Stone, swimmer Claire Cashmore and powerlifter Ali Jawad are expected to attend the celebration in Millennium Square at 12.15pm.

Leeds Lord Mayor, Coun Ann Castle, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming back our Paralympics athletes to Leeds and it would be great to have a big crowd on Millennium Square to honour them and say well done.”