Along with James Roe, Naomi Riches and Pamela Relph, their mixed coxed four won gold in the adaptive class at the World Rowing Championships earlier this year in Bled, Slovenia, meaning that Smith was able to add another world title to the one he claimed in 2009.

Smith has previously competed for Britain in bobsleigh, and made the transition to rowing in 2009, not looking back since.

"I'm aiming to make the team, and for sure want gold," he told insideworldparasport when asked what his target is for next summer.

"[I] wouldn't be happy with anything else to be honest.

"With the two world championships we've been in our boat will probably be favourite to win."

Will that pressure be a positive or a negative for the highly successful mixed adaptive four?

"I think it'll create more pressure to see that as a positive thing," says Smith.

"I try not to think about it too much because if you think about it too much it becomes so overwhelming."


He does admit though that with the Games drawing closer, the reality of having the chance to compete at a home Games is starting to sink in.

"It's good because we're locked away and we're away from it all but then I tend not to think about it," Smith said.

"As it gets closer and closer and I start reading about it more it will be more of a reality but it still feels like it's not really happening.

"Once you know you're going it becomes more of a reality."

Smith adds that staying injury free will his biggest goal, to ensure that years of hard work and impressive performances count for something next summer.

He also believes the Paralympic Games will be a great opportunity to get the public involved in disabled sport.

"Tickets are a massive sell out already, and most venues will be full for the Paralympics," Smith added.

"People are going to be like 'wow, these guys are at a good level and put good times in' and see it for what it is.

"Hopefully it will open eyes – any medal that is won by a British [athlete] the public will really feel."

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