Cashmore gearing up for games

5:08pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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KIDDERMINSTER swimming star Claire Cashmore continued her preparations for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games by finishing fifth at the World Cup in Manchester at the weekend.

The 19-year-old has struggled for form after being diagnosed with an iron deficiency but showed she is making progress by finishing fifth in the women's 100m freestyle in a time of one minute and 79.32 seconds in the S9 disabled category.

Now the Kelly College student, whose arm is severed below the elbow, will turn her attentions to preparing for the Paralympics, where she will be representing Great Britain in the 100m breastroke, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

"Claire is getting back to her best and the World Cup was a useful race," said father Duncan Cashmore.

"She was struggling for a while but now she is taking tablets to help with her iron deficiency.

"The most important thing is that she can concentrate on the Paralmypics."

Wyre Forest star Fran O'Connor got her first taste of international action at the World Cup, which is the biggest multi-sport competition for disabled athletes outside of the Paralympic Games.

O'Connor, who has cerebral palsy, finished 18th overall in the 50m freestyle and 24th overall in the 100m freestyle.