Rhys Darbey is ready to make a splash at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games after a rapid rise to the greatest stage.
The Nofio Clwyd athlete will race at his maiden Games after making his international breakthrough in 2023 as he secured qualification for the Manchester Para Swimming World Championships in the Men’s SM14 200m Individual Medley event.
Darbey – who competes in the S14 Intellectually Impaired para-swimming classification – capped his World Championship debut on home soil with by stepping onto the podium, storming home on the on closing the freestyle leg of the race to move through the field into silver medal.
Rhys began his journey at Connah’s Quay under coach Craig Breeze before the pair stepped up to Nofio Clwyd performance club. Rhys continued his development at the North Wales club before being classified as an S14 athlete.
After his heroics in Manchester, the 17-year-old stepped up again in London at the Speedo Aquatics GB Championships and Paralympic trials. He secured his spot in Paris with a second places finish in the SM14 200m IM. He will race his favourite event, and could also feature in the relay at La Defense Arena.
“Once I got that silver medal at the World Championships, I definitely thought I could qualify,” said Darbey. “I feel like I’ve improved so much over the last few years and I would like a medal in Paris or at least a final
“It’s the pinnacle of the sport and I’m really looking forward to it, my family are trying to book hotels now. My parents still wake up at four or five in the morning to take me to training and they’ve been doing that for five years now. I love racing, it’s great, I feel like I can lock in when it comes to big moments and I’m good at stepping up.
“I just feel like when I dive into water, it clears my head and I really enjoy that. I watched the Paralympics in 2012, 2016 and in Tokyo and it looked awesome, I can’t wait to get there. It’s going to be great and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully there is more to come.”
Rhys will make his debut in the SM14 200m IM on the morning of September 4th.
