COUNTY swimming star Sam Downie has set his sights on next year’s Paralympics after being named in the British Para-Swimming Team for the Manchester 2023 Para Swimming World Championships.

Downie, 17, is a swimmer for Musselburgh Amateur Swimming Club and was born with caudal regression syndrome (or sacral agenesis), which mostly affects his back.

He is one of 28 swimmers included in the squad which will compete at the games between July 31 and August 6.

Gillian Downie, Sam’s mum, said of the achievement: “We are all super proud of Sam for making the squad.

“This is the second time he has been included so he is starting to cement his place now in the team.

“He has worked really hard to get to this level and he just keeps pushing himself to do better.”

Downie will fly out to Turkey with the team at the end of this month before competing in the Citi Para World Series event in Berlin in May.

Downie, who attends George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, will have to juggle his swimming commitments with exams as he is set to fly out during exam time.

Gillian said: “The school and exam board have been very accommodating with his commitments and are currently working on allowing him to possibly sit an exam while away.

“Sam is committed to both his swimming and studying for his Highers so it will be a busy time for him.”

Gillian said that Sam was fully focused on making the Paralympic squad for France 2024.

She said: “This is a huge step in Sam’s goal to make the Paralympic squad next year.

“Sam wants to compete at the highest level and I know that is a big goal for him.

“I am certain he can achieve it if he keeps working hard.”