Ballard open to medal tilt in Tokyo

Graeme Ballard in action in the 100m T36 at the London Stadium at the weekend

Chorley sprint star Graeme Ballard has refused to rule out the possibility of competing in his fifth Paralympic Games.

The 38-year-old former T36 100m world record holder is already a veteran of four Paralympic campaigns.

He made his debut in Athens 2004, where he won a bronze medal in the 200m, and has gone on to compete in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro – famously winning a 100m silver medal on home soil in 2012.

Despite his advancing years and veteran status within the sport, Ballard could still yet have another shot at winning gold in Tokyo in three years’ time – at the grand old age of 41.

“As long as I am still enjoying doing what I am doing – which I am at the moment – then who knows,” said Ballard, who finished fourth and sixth in the T36 100m and 200m respectively at the IPC World Championships, in London, over the past week.

“I want to go on for as long as I can, but I am not sure what I am going to do next.

“I am having a bit of a break now but when I get back to training, I will speak to my coach and we will discuss things going forward.

“But I’m not committed to anything.”