Swimmer Miller wins silver in Delhi

Miller, aged 24, finished second behind Australian Matt Cowdrey, who swam a new Games best of 25.33sec. Miller swam a British record and new personal best, and finished in 26.70 to land his first senior international medal and speaking afterwards to the BBC said: “I can’t believe it. A British record, personal best, silver medal, at the Commonweath Games, I’m loving it.”

Miller was born without a right hand and races in the S9 class and he is now targeting the Paralympic Games in London in 2012, when he hopes to beat Cowdrey and said: “That guy’s immense. I’m catching him all the time, though, so he’s going to have to watch out in London.”

Miller, who swam at the Beijing Paralympics, nearly did not even race in Delhi, though, as he was suffering with illness before the race and was nearly pulled out but he said: “It was just adrenaline and the fact I didn’t go all that way for nothing that kept me going.”

Miller lived in Lancing, Durrington and Rustington/Littlehampton, before he moved to Manchester aged 19, so he could compete at the next level.

He trained with Littlehampton Swimming Club and also swam with Sussex Squids, a local disability swimming group, and he was also a member of Sama Karate Club and got a blackbelt aged eight.

His mother, Chrissy, said: “His first pool experiences were at Worthing Aquerena from six months and he had his early years lessons there.

“He then trained here with Littlehampton Swimming Club, where he had an excellent grounding with an able-bodied swim team, and with Sussex Squids.

“We would also have to thank Maggie Hargraves, of Phoenix Swimming Club in Colchester, who recognised his potential and helped his progress to the international level.”

On Simon’s silver medal, Chrissy said: “I am immensely proud of his achievements in the pool and was very sad not to have been there, but unfortunately could not be spared from work this time, although I did go to Beijing.

“Simon has dedicated himself to his training. He decided a long time ago what he wanted to do with this and he has been a very determined individual.”

On the much-publicised accommodation in India, Chrissy said: “From the point of accommodation in the village, Simon said it was fine, and comfortable enough.

“Problems identified in the media beforehand had been ironed out while they were in the holding camp in Qatar.”