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Swimming: Stephanie Millward is brimming with confidence ahead of her make-or-break Paralympic bid next week after smashing two European records.

The 26-year-old multiple sclerosis suffer, from Cepen Park South in Chippenham, is heading to the British Swimming Olympic Trials in Sheffield in scintillating shape.

She broke two European records last week at the Danish Open Swimming Championships, knocking almost two seconds off the old record on her way to the 50m backstroke title in 35.46.

And she blitzed the 100m backstroke in 1:15:54, beating the previous 1:16:00 record.

She also won two bronze medals for the 50m and 100m freestyle.

"It helped me because I was very nervous about the Olympic trials and now I am relaxed," said Millward, who will compete in the 100m freestyle and her preferred 100m backstroke.

"Hopefully I can win and then I can have a ticket to the Paralympics.

"I used to be very, very fast and I know I have been able to swim these times before so am I now really confident."

The support she has received from family, friends and her club in Melksham has also made her more confident.

"I'll be able to hold my nerves, I've been doing it for a long time but this time will be extra special because my dad, Mike, is coming to watch," she said. "He has not seen me for a little while and I know I will also have my club behind me.

"I also know I will be swimming for MS as I am the only sufferer competing."

Millward had to give up her original Olympic dream after being diagnosed with MS in 2000.

11:10am Thursday 27th March 2008

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