Nicknamed “Scooter” due to the scooter he uses to move around, Grant Patterson is known as a larrikin on the Australian swim team. Describing himself as the short funny guy, Grant is training to be as big a hit in the pool as he is on the pool deck.

Born with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, Grant took up swimming when he was 11 years old.

Ten years later, he broke the world record for his class in the 100m backstroke at the Australian Open Championships and followed this up with two gold in the 200m freestyle and 150m individual medley and bronze in the 50m breaststroke at the 2009 Arafura Games.

Grant sees fish as his major inspiration in swimming. Ironically, when he’s not swimming he enjoys fishing as well as playing AFL, cricket and ice hockey.

Admiring Billy Slater for his athleticism, Grant believes his parents have been the most influential people in his short swimming career and credits them with introducing him to sport he loves.

After swimming, Grant hopes to work in sports medicine as a personal trainer, nutritionist or sports psychologist.