Sascha Kindred will aim to claim four gold medals after winning two in Sydney when he makes his third appearance in the Paralympics.

He said: "I am swimming better than ever and feel I can do it. My training has gone well. I've worked 16 hours in the pool and six in the gym each week for four years to give myself the best chance."

Kindred, from Crawley, who has cerebral palsy, swept to the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley crowns four years ago. He is also looking to be part of a successful British team in the 4x100m individual medley and 4x50m freestyle relays in Greece.

His hopes were lifted when he smashed the world short course record for the 100m breaststroke by nearly three seconds a few days before flying out to the holding camp in Cyprus.

He said: "I was chuffed with that. I feel there is more to come and I can break the long course record in Athens, although the main thing is to win gold. My intention is to peak in the pool in Athens."

Kindred will be one of the most experienced members of the squad, but he admits nerves will play a part.

"You have to be nervous to give yourself the edge you need," he added. "It is a pressure but I know that if I do everything right I'm the best in the world."

Kindred has won 29 medals in major championships while Britain took 15 swimming golds in Sydney and will again be the strongest team in Athens.

Yet it all began when Kindred went against the advice of his mother, Beatrice, and took up the sport.

He said: "Because of my condition, which means I am weaker down my right side, she thought that I would drown. Well, I've learned to float."

Beatrice will be in his support team of 11 in Athens hoping to see him win more medals.

Kim Blake believes she can claim a wheelchair tennis medal at the Paralympics for her late father Peter.

The Eastbourne ace lost the third-place play-off in Sydney. Her father died in 2002 and now the British No.2 aims to go at least one better in Athens, inspired by his memory.

She said: "I wear a locket with his picture and a cutting of his hair next to my heart. I want to win a medal for him and I feel he will be watching me. He helped me so much with my tennis. Every match I play is for him, my mum Sheila and brother Dean.

"My ambition in Sydney was to bring a medal home for mum and dad. It was hard for me to ring him when I'd just missed out."

Kim confessed she wanted to quit after her fourth-place finish, but husband Andy, who was in the British men's basketball team that also finished fourth, changed her mind.

She said: "I was so disappointed. Fourth is the worst position, but Andy told me that I was too young and talented to give up. My family also wanted me to carry on."

Andy and Kim featured in a BBC documentary 'Wheels of Gold' on Andy's preparations for the Paralympics last week.

She added: "We will support each other. It's good for both of us because we each know what you go through and we'll have the added experience of Sydney where we met."

Kim, 23, believes her best hope of glory is in the doubles with British No.1 Janet McMorran. We made the quarter-finals together last time and should have done better.

"I think we will take a medal this time. As for the singles, you never know."

The world top 20 player, who was struck down with a spinal problem at the age of seven, goes into her second Paralympics after two months on the sidelines recovering from a wrist problem.

Richard Schabel has battled back from a six-month illness and is aiming for discus gold at the Paralympics.

He competes in his third Games confident he is back to his best.

Schabel, who held the world record for six years, was struck down by a chest infection last year.

He suffered spinal injuries in a road accident when he was 20 and is inspired by Tanni Grey-Thompson, arguably the most famous face in disability sport.

He said: "What she has done is fantastic but I'd like to see all Paralympians flying the flag for Britain regarded in the same esteem. Hopefully we might do after Athens."

The 46-year-old, from East Grinstead, is delighted daily TV coverage will increase the profile of disabled sport. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed my family and friends can watch me win on television," he added.