Scottish swimmer Toni Shaw hopes home comforts in the build-up to this summer’s Paralympic Games will enhance her bid for another medal on the biggest stage.
Shaw, 20, won Britain’s first swimming medal at the last Paralympics in Tokyo when she claimed bronze in the women’s S9 400m freestyle.
She then left her native north-east to swim and study at the University of Stirling but has now returned to the Granite City, where she is part of the University of Aberdeen’s Performance Swimming programme.
“I love working in Aberdeen. The squad I am in, everyone is so friendly,” she told BBC Sport Scotland.
“It is like I get to go swimming with most of my best friends every day, so it is just a really nice thing to be part of.
“I am so comfortable in Aberdeen, it was just right for me at the time, there was no significant thing that made me want to move, it was just right for me.
“I am really happy where I am just now and working with Patrick [Miley, high performance coach] is really good.
“It is probably the most important part; you are going to the pool eight times a week so if you are not going there and enjoying it, it is just not going to work. Being with such a positive squad definitely helps.”
Her preparation for Paris has been far from ideal though, with a stress injury in her lower back hampering her season.
Nevertheless, Shaw was still able to achieve the Paralympic qualifying time in the 400m freestyle.
And if history is any guide, she will be in the mix for medals in France this summer.
