Athletics: Hinton lands medal treble

Aug 15 2007 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF’S Tracey Hinton has strengthened her chances of competing at the Beijing Paralympics after winning gold and two silvers at the International Blind Sports Association World Games in Brazil.

The Paralympian led Great Britain’s medal haul with gold in the B1 800m and silvers in the 200m and 400m.

Though Hinton has an exemplary track record, the silver medal in the 200m came as a surprise to many. Through speed work with coach and guide runner Darryl Maynard at the High Performance Centre in UWIC, Hinton realized she was running a fast bend and it was decided to enter her at the last minute.

Disability Sport Wales Performance Manager Anthony Hughes says she looks set to make her fifth Paralympic appearance in Beijing.

“She has got the qualification time for Beijing – now it’s all down to selection but I would say she’s in a very strong position,” he said.

“ I believe that was Tracey’s best-ever performance at a world event since the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992.

“It’s great to see her continually improving technically. A lot of her success is down to her determination, but also the set-up at the High Performance Centre at UWIC.”

Hughes explains that Hinton continues to make major improvements.

“She’s 37 so some would say she’s getting on, but to run without sight is such a skill,” he added.

“Her sensory skills are maturing. She has to visualize the race which is extremely impressive as she lost her sight as a small child.

“She’s been injured and people with more sight have been included in her class.

“But since she teamed up with Darryl, there have been changes in her preparation which have made phenomenal improvements.”