Nathan Stephens: shotputter and sledge hockey player

Nathan Stephens from Bridgend in Wales is 18 years old and competes in a total of six sports. Despite losing his legs in an accident at the age of nine, Nathan is passionate about sport and now focusses on athletics and sledge hockey.

It is Nathan's ambition to be the youngest person to complete in both the Winter and Summer Paralympics.

Nathan says of being part of the team of McDonald's Olympic hopefuls 'There are such a wide range of people involved in this project covering all types of sports and activities I'm sure we are all going to enjoy training together and sharing training tips and stories. For me that is what leading an active lifestyle is all about - getting together with friends and having a good time.'

Nathan's Career highlights to date:

• 2003 - London Junior Marathon 4th place in his first athletics event and raised £5000 for the South Wales air ambulance and his sledge hockey team.
• 2003 - DSE Junior Open Athletics gold in shot putt, gold in discus, gold in javelin
• August 2003 - DSE Senior Open Athletics, gold in shot putt, silver in discus, gold in javelin
• 2003 - World Championship qualifiers GB sledge hockey (his first event for GB and he scored 6 goals)
• 2004 - World Championships Sweden GB sledge hockey qualified 5th place
• 2004 DSE Junior Open 3 golds, 3 national records, 2 European records and awarded athlete of the tournament

Currently ranked 4th in the world for javelin and in the top 10 in shot putt and discus.