Danny Crates will today fly out to Athens - determined to achieve his ultimate ambition of winning gold at the Paralympics.

The Corringham based 800m star, who has been completing his preparations at a British training camp in Cyprus, is among the pre-race favourites.

And Crates, the current European Champion, is confident of claiming victory.

"Preparations have gone well for me," said the 31-year-old, who will take to the track in his heat next Friday.

"I'm feeling good and, apart from one or two minor niggles, I'm fully fit and I'm looking forward to it.

"We've been in Cyprus for a week doing some endurance training. And I'm staying in some very posh apartments, which I would never be able to afford to stay in so I've been making the most of that as well."

Crates, who lost his right arm in a horrific accident in 1994, smashed the world record earlier on in the season, but is expecting a slower and more tactical race in Greece.

"I don't expect to break the record again in Athens as Championship races are a lot more tactical," he added.

"There are four or five of us who are running similar times and are all capable of winning so it's going to be a very close race."

Published Tuesday September 14, 2004

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