Danny Crates was today going for gold at the European Paralympic Athletics Championships in Holland, which he's using as a stepping stone to glory at the 2004 Paralympic Games.
The 30-year-old track star from Corringham won gold at this year's arm amputee demonstration 800m at the World Indoor Champion-ships in Birmingham.
And he intended to turn exhibition gold into the real thing in the 800m in Assen today.
"My preparations have gone pretty well," said Crates, who won a 400m bronze medal at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney.
"By this time next year they will probably already have selected for Athens, so it's good to have this opportunity to put a marker down.
"It would be a dream come true to go on and win a Paralympic gold."
Another Essex athlete, Great Dunmow sprinter Lloyd Upsdell, took silver in 200m for competitors with cerebral palsy.
Published Friday, June 20, 2003
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