Paul competed in five successive Paralympic Games winning a total of 15 Paralympic medals including four golds. In each Games he won at least one medal in a Paralympic career that ran from 1984 until Sydney 2000.
Paul became involved in disability swimming as a pupil at Glenwood High School in Glenrothes. Brittle bones (osteogenesis imperfecta) caused him considerable inconvenience as a high school pupil because of the many breaks he had to deal with. Undaunted by successive periods in plaster, he spent many a lunch hour developing his swimming skills or improving his ability as a representative school table tennis player. In each of these sports he established himself as the number one in Scotland. Many a battle he had at the National Championships with George Keith from Aberdeen and on a number of occasions he won the National singles and doubles titles partnered by fellow Fife Paralympian Lara Ferguson.
Paul also won 6 medals in world championships between 1986 and 1998 and 8 European Championship medals in 1991 and 1997. Paul is a past GB Team Captain and was a key member of the British team throughout the 80’s and 90’s and is known for his ability to turn out a top performance on the big occasion. As a relay team member he has an exceptional track record. For almost 20 years he was a member of Glenrothes Swimming Club and held every Scottish disability swimming Men’s Open Record. Drew Young and Eddie Campbell were club coaches who supported Paul throughout his career.
Paul was recognised for his contribution to swimming by the award of the MBE and he still gives so much of his leisure time back to disability sport as the Chairman of Disability Sport Fife. Paul is an accountant with Fife Council and is the SDS national swimming records keeper. Paul has made a name for himself as an announcer at international disability swimming events and was on duty at the Olympic pool during the 2012 Paralympic Games. Paul is a model sportsman in every way who has achieved so much and continues to offer so much to the development of disability sport. During his time at top Paul was totally committed to his club, local Branch and country and gained a reputation as a fierce opponent at home and overseas.