The 25-year-old single-leg amputee, part of the Australia team competing here at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships, is appearing on the front cover of the February edition of Australian Men's Health.

Swift actually competes in the 100 and 400 metres T44 disability category alongside Pistorius and although he went out in the heats of the 100m yesterday, admits he is thoroughly enjoying taking part in his first World Championships despite facing a lot of stick from his teammates about the Men's Health cover.

"It is an awesome experience getting out and competing here at a major Paralympic Championship," Swift told insideworldparasport.

"I've been coping a bit of stick from the lads for being on the Men's Health front cover but I just tell them that they are jealous and that shuts them up!

"Any publicity is good publicity anyway and to be honest, it has all been good fun."

Swift, who was named 2010 Nivea Face of the Year, became a leg amputee in 2006 while working as a labourer in his home city of Melbourne when his right leg was crushed by an excavator, severing it from below the knee.

Whilst recovering in hospital, he was introduced to Paralympic athletics star Don Elgin who encouraged him to take up disability sport and, after making it to the IPC World Athletics Championships, he admits the ultimate goal is competing at the London 2012 Paralympics.

"The pinnacle for me is to make the London 2012 team and then just to go from there," he said.

"If I can make on to the team; the focus will then be to try and get up there in amongst the medals.

Swift, who as well as an athlete is studying exercise science at university and also working as a personal trainer, admitted that it was not until his accident in 2006 that he started to get into great physical shape.

"I started exercising to mentally refresh myself after my accident," he said.

"I just hated being stuck in the house all day feeling sorry for myself.

"I'm really in a great place right now and loving being a part of Paralympic sport."

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