By Tom Degun

Jade_JonesMarch 16 - Jade Jones (pictured), the 15-year-old wheelchair racer widely tipped to be a British star of the future, is hoping to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics - despite Rio 2016 being a more realistic goal.


Jones was added to the development squad on the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) by UK Athletics earlier last month after an impressive senior debut at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in New Zealand in January where she made two finals.

Jones, who is coached by British Paralympic great Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and her husband Ian Thompson, has now turned her focus to London 2012 and is hopeful she can win a medal in front of the home crowd.

"We are hoping maybe 2012, I'm focused in my training towards that," she said.

"It would be a dream.

"If not, then definitely 2016 - hopefully a medal there.

"I'm in Year 10 and it's hard.

"I'm just catching up from being away from school for a month.

"I have missed a month and loads of exams but the school are really supportive."

Jones has already taken five foundation papers for GCSEs and achieved the highest possible grade for all of them.

Next for Jones is potentially the International Wheelchair and Amputee (IWAS) World Junior Games in Dubai in April although she is not sure whether it will be this or the London Marathon on April 17 that she will be competing in.

"Dubai is quite far away and we are only out there for 10 days so we are worried about acclimatising," she admitted.

Jones's mum Beverley said her training costs between £4,500 and £5,000 a year for travel expenses, accommodation and maintenance of her chair but the Lottery contribution of £2,000 from the WCPP as well as £500 from sponsors Erimus Housing are helping to fund her dream.

Jones's dad Peter said: "It has really helped me out.

"Donations help me get to all my events and also help me buy kit."

Chris Smith, Erimus Housing's managing director, said: "Jade is a real role model for other young people.

"She is dedicated to her sport and training schedule while working hard and succeeding at school."

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