LIBBY CLEGG is hoping for a podium spot at this month’s World Championships in Doha as the perfect preparation for her third Paralympics next summer.
The 25-year-old has two Paralympic silver medals to her name after finishing second in the women's T12 100m in Beijing and London.
But before the Scot turns her attention to Brazil there is the small matter of a World Championships to contest in Qatar, with the action getting under way on October 21.
Clegg says she and her guide Mikail Huggins will be using the trip to the Middle East as a building block as they aim to finally strike gold in 2016.
“It’s less than a year to go until Rio now but obviously we have the World Championships in Doha before then,” Clegg said.
“We are not too sure what to expect because there have been a few performances from our rivals that have blown us away a bit this year.
“So we are just looking to get on the podium on Doha and then we can focus on some of the more specific things we need to work on in the winter.
“We have had a really good season but have not had the best weather conditions, so there have been a few times that the performances haven’t been fantastic – but we had a great race at the Anniversary Games.
“Hopefully we will be able to bring out more performances like that when we go out to Qatar.
“Everyone is out there to win that gold medal and Rio is the gem. There are a few athletes that have been on the circuit for a while and progressed well.”
Despite being only 25, Clegg is one of the more experienced athletes in the British team. She also has five world medals in addition to her pair of Paralympic silvers.
Clegg says she will be using all of her know-how as she looks to add another world title to her already impressive collection.
“I feel like a veteran even though I’m only 25 as I’m definitely one of the oldest on our team,” she added.
“Rio will be my third Paras and the previous two were both very different so I think it will be really interesting to see what Rio pull out of the bag.
“For me this year it is just about getting on the podium because I’ve made a few changes but if it all comes together then I could produce a special performance.
“I have that experience now so I can draw on that and build going into a big year.”
Clegg is an ambassador for the SSE Next Generation programme whi partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen
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