ATHENS, Sept. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- With 14 medals, including five gold medals from three previous Paralympic Games, freestyle specialist Peter Lund Andersen from Denmark is hoping he can claima gold in swimming in his final Paralympic Games.

    "I've won a gold medal at every Paralympics since 1992 and three gold (medals) at my first Games in Barcelona. I was only 17then and got lots of medals (3 gold and as many silver medals) so that gave me the motivation to keep on swimming. It will be tough here in Athens but the 50m freestyle S6 is the one I really want to win. If I get a medal I will be extremely happy."

    His main opposition will come from China's Yin Jianhua who holds the world record for this event at 31.02 seconds. "He'll bereally tough to beat. He's older and more experienced than me, butthen again he's a 400m swimmer and has come down to the shorter event. I think I can be as fast. I am currently ranked 3rd but that ranking is with a slower time than I am doing now, so a personal best will get me a gold or silver," said Andersen.

    Andersen is also hoping for a medal in the 100m freestyle. "I think a medal in the 100m is possible but the 400m freestyle is still a chance although less likely. That race is a bit tricky asI have been focusing on the shorter distances. I wouldn't say it is a secondary priority, but the sprints are my real medal hopes."

    The 29-year-old lawyer has spent much time studying and swimming in Australia. "I have swum in the Australian national championships for the past 7 years. They have excellent program of integration of disabled and able bodied swimmers in Australia and so I am able to compete there in a strong competition."

    Andersen is excited about the improved standard of Paralympic swimming. "The level of international competition has certainly intensified. The classification system that started in 1990 has made the competition stronger. That's a good thing because it doesn't feel good to win a medal that comes cheap. None of my medals that I may win here will be cheap - and that's great for Paralympic Swimming," he says.

    Competition in swimming begins on Sunday September 19. Enditem