Age: 57
Home town: Dundonald, South Ayrshire
Sport: Boccia
Events: Individual BC3 & Pairs BC3
Classification: BC3 Assistant
Coach: Glynn Tromans
When and how did you get involved in sport?
2006 when my sons were introduced to the sport.
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
3
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
To medal in both.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Make sacrifices and give it your all.
Age: 30
Home town: Dundonald, South Ayrshire
Sport: Boccia
Events: Individual BC3 & Pairs BC3
Classification: BC3
Coach: Glynn Tromans
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I attended a local sports event for schoolchildren called Ayrshire Sportsability where I was first introduced to Boccia and met Claire Morrison (current Boccia UK Performance Coach) who at the time was a support coach for Scottish Boccia and she invited me to a Scotland squad session and after attending my first competition I was hooked
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
London 2012, Rio 2016 & Tokyo 2020
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
I always aim to win every event and Tokyo is no different so the double gold is the dream and I believe I am capable but it’s just about hitting my top level at the right time. After two Games of coming home empty handed, the only successful Games can be to come home with silverware!
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Be prepared for a lot of hard work as there is no cutting corners but the results are worth it!
Twitter: smccowan
Facebook: Scott McCowan
Instagram: smccowan17
Age: 29
Home town: Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute
Sport: Wheelchair Tennis
Events: Men’s Singles & Doubles
Classification: Open
Coach: Bruno Argudo
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I first tried wheelchair tennis at the West of Scotland Wheelchair Club session in Scotstoun in 2005.
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Three
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
The dream is to win two golds.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Embrace everything that your sport brings, the good and the bad!
Twitter: @gordonreid91
Instagram: @gordonreid
Age: 35
Home town: Kirkcaldy, Fife
Sport: Athletics
Events: Marathon
Classification: T46
Name of club: Fife AC/DSF
Coach: Ron Morrison
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I got myself into sport at an early age taking up football at 8/9 years old. I enjoyed playing the game and my friends were playing too.
Career highlights:
My career highlights are:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
To be competitive and enjoy the experience.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Believe in yourself.
Twitter: derekrae_85
Facebook: Derek Rae
Instagram: Dell_2310
Age: 25
Home town: Bo’ness
Sport: Athletics
Events: 100m & 800m
Classification: T34
Name of club: Coventry Godiva
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I found wheelchair racing in 2011 at a British Athletics talent identification day. I was previously a swimmer but had to stop due to a chlorine allergy, so when I saw the race chairs I was hooked. They looked completely different to anything I had ever seen before and the thought of going quick round an athletics track was a massive draw.
Career highlights:
A career highlight was competing in the Rio Paralympics. Rio was my first Paralympic Games and although the races didn’t go to plan it was the moment I became a Paralympian which will always be a special moment. Another career highlight would be the quick individual races I have done. One that comes to mind is my European Record 800m race from 2017. I knocked 6 seconds off my personal best time in one race, crossing the line in 1.39. This was the first time I felt like I was at the level to compete for medals at major championships.
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Tokyo will be my 2nd Paralympic Games
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
My ambition for Tokyo is to win medals.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
My advice would be try as many sports as you can until you find one that suits you and once you’ve found a sport that clicks throw yourself into every opportunity. Sport has changed my life and taken me to places I never thought I would get to go to so enjoy the journey.
Twitter: @BenRowlings
Facebook: Ben Rowlings T34 Wheelchair Racer
Instagram: benrowlings
Age: 24
Home town: Turriff, Aberdeenshire
Sport: Swimming
Events: 100m Breaststroke
Classification: S14 SM14 SB14
Name of club: University of Aberdeen
Coach: Gregor McMillan
When and how did you get involved in sport?
Swimming at school, then gradually moved up through the ranks.
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
This will be my first one.
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
Going there for the experience and swimming well, hopefully get a new PB.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Train, work hard and most of all enjoy.
Twitter: Morrisxn97
Facebook: Conner Morrison
Instagram: Morrisxn_
Age: 17
Home town: Aberdeen, Grampian
Sport: Swimming
Events: 400m Free, 100m Free & 100m Fly
Classification: S9
Name of club: University of Aberdeen
Coach: Gregor McMillan
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I went to Learn to Swim lessons & was asked to try out for a club. I joined Cults Otters & from there went on to Coast then U of A.
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
This is my first.
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
To hopefully swim fast and do the best I can.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Have fun and enjoy every training session and competition!
Twitter: Tonishaw_x
Facebook: Toni Shaw
Instagram: Tonishaw_
Age: 55
Home town: Dundonald, South Ayrshire
Sport: Boccia
Events: BC3 Individual & Pairs
Classification: BC3 Ramp Assistant
Name of club: Boccia UK
Coach: Glynn Tromans
When and how did you get involved in sport?
My sons attended a (Come and Try) event with Ayrshire Sportsability and met Claire Morrison who was coaching with Scottish Boccia who invited us to a Scotland Training session in 2006.Became Jamie’s ramp assistant in 2014.
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Rio 2016 & Tokyo 2020
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
To win a medal individually or a pairs medal with my family and team mates Beth Moulam and Christie Hutchings.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Hard work pays off.
Facebook: Linda McCowan
Age: 36
Home town: Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Sport: Boccia
Events: BC4 Individual & BC4 Pairs
Classification: BC4
Name of club: Boccia UK
Coach: Claire Morrison
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I got involved with boccia back in 2005 as I had a passion for the Paralympic Games. My dream was to compete for ParalympicsGB at a major championships and through researching the Scottish Disability Sport website I came across boccia. The GB lead coach at the time was also the Scottish coach Jacqueline Lynn who invited me along to try. It was the perfect fit for me and since then I have played international each year.
Career highlights:
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
London 2012, Rio 2016 & Tokyo 2020
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
My ambition in Tokyo is to reach the podium. We have a young squad which is filled with potential, mixed with experience. I have finished 4th a few times at Paralympic level and would like to reach the podium in Tokyo.
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Do what you love, follow your passion. There is a pathway for many sports, find what you enjoy then seek out a local club.
Twitter: @bocciabhoy
Facebook: Steph McGuire
Instagram: bocciabhoy
Age: 21
Home town: Strathpeffer, Highland
Sport: Cycling
Events: Pursuit, Road Race & Time Trial
Classification: C3
Coach: Currently John Hewitt, previously Andrew Pink, Dave Daniell & Steve Cronshaw
When and how did you get involved in sport?
I have been involved with sport from a very young age! Grew up close to the MTB trails of Glentress in Peebles which was amazing to have that right on the doorstep so was so good in the development of my riding.
Career highlights:
Winning my first world cups in Canada in 2019! Bronze medal at the recent road world championships in Portugal and also being selected for the upcoming Paralympics.
How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
This will be my first.
What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
As it’s my first I don’t want to put to much pressure on myself but I would love to come away with some silverware but I’m just looking forward to the experience and giving it my all and then if a result comes from that it’s a bonus!
Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
I think the main bit that I always remind myself is just to enjoy it! Yes there are big races but in the end it’s just another race and you’ve done plenty before so you know what you’re doing and if you go in stressing you are not going to come away with the best performance. Nerves are a good thing but not when it is detrimental to your performance.
Twitter: @FinGparacyclist
Facebook: @FinGparacyclist
Instagram: fin_graham22