When Patrick Donachie won gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, little did he know that it would be 12 years before he would again have a chance to represent Australia at a Paralympic Games.

After 2000, athletes with an intellectual disability were banned from the Paralympic Games when the Spanish men’s basketball team was found to include athletes who did not have disabilities. Patrick is now the only remaining member of the Sydney 2000 swim team who still swims competitively.

Vying for a spot on the London Paralympic swim team, Patrick has maintained his remarkable swimming form, winning medals at every major meet he has competed in since 2000. Most recently, he won gold in the 4x50m freestyle relay and the 4x50m medley relay, and silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2009 Global Games.

Drawing inspiration from cycling legend Lance Armstrong and swimming powerhouse Michael Phelps, Patrick admires those who dedicate their lives to their passion and succeed. After his swimming career, he hopes to work with people with disabilities in either an educational or sport and recreational capacity.

When he’s not swimming, Patrick is a keen collector and enjoys adding to his stamp, model railway and miniature V8 supercars collections.