Back injury rules out Tom Hamer as five Brits reach Paralympic finals

Double Paralympic medallist Tom Hamer has been forced to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Games due to a back injury.

Hamer, who won an individual silver medal in the Men’s S14 200m Freestyle at Rio in 2016, didn’t race in this morning’s heats as expected due to the problem.

Chris Furber, British Swimming’s para-swimming performance director, said: “The team have supported and helped Tom to manage his injury.

“We wanted to give him as long as possible but sadly he’s just not able to compete anywhere near his best.

“He has been an integral part of the team and he has pushed everyone on, so we’re all sad he isn’t able to compete.”

Five eye podium spots

Hamer’s British team-mates Jordan Catchpole and Reece Dunn were the two fastest qualifiers for the Men’s S14 200m Freestyle final after both winning their respective heats.

Catchpole clocked a time of 1:56.81, while world-record holder Dunn, who won a silver medal in the S14 100m Butterfly, finished in 1:57.30 to see the British duo swim in lanes four and five in the final.

There will be three Brits eyeing podium places in the Women’s S14 200m Freestyle final.

World-record holder Bethany Firth led home a British one-two in the heats as she won in a time of 2:10.58, with Louise Fiddes second in 2:11.62.

Jessica-Jane Applegate also booked her spot in this morning’s final, finishing second in heat two in 2:10.82.

Meanwhille, Andrew Mullen finished fourth in his Men’s S5 50m Butterfly heat in 39.01, which saw him place 11th overall.

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