Two-time Paralympic medallist Sammi Kinghorn has credited Countryfile in helping overcome her struggles with identifying as an elite athlete.

The 28-year-old from Melrose never imagined that she would be competing and winning medals on the international stage when growing up but was inspired to go for gold after the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

She has since rocketed to wheelchair racing success at every major international event and is now ready to compete in her third Paralympics at Paris 2024.

And it's thanks to her TV presenting role on agricultural show Countryfile that Kinghorn feels that she is finally able to showcase both sides of her personality.

"I didn't always think I'd be in sport, so I sometimes struggle with the identity of being an athlete," said Kinghorn, who made her Countryfile debut in 2023.

"This isn't who I thought I was going to be so to be on television and Countryfile is a side of me that people don't necessarily get to see.

"I grew up on a farm in the countryside and I've very passionate about it.

"So, it lets me be that part of myself and try to bring the two sides together which is quite hard when people usually just see my as an athlete.

"It gives me a little break when I go there away from sport, I can just show someone else off and not be the centre of attention.

"I genuinely feel like I now get noticed more for being on Countryfile than I do for being in sport."

Kinghorn revealed that her adhoc TV work does still give her the opportunity to train, with her wheelchair rollers often making appearances in her hotel room to adhere to her hectic training schedule.

"I always make sure I'm never missing a session," added Kinghorn, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

"I've spent a lot of time in hotel rooms training on my rollers and they're very good at working around my training.

"My chair just always comes with me to make sure I'm training."

Now set for her third Games in Paris, Kinghorn is gearing up to complete the set after winning T53 100m bronze and 400m silver.

And with Paris allowing her family to watch her in the stands as she crosses the line for a possible gold medal at the Stade de France, Kinghorn expressed her excitement to get on the track and race.

"I think if Tokyo was a normal Games, Paris would feel different," she said.

"In Tokyo, winning a medal in front of an empty stadium was rough because my family are such a huge part of my story. As soon as I crossed the line, I automatically investigated the crowds, and nobody was there.

"I had also put a lot of pressure on myself there whereas in Paris I just want to enjoy that experience and I feel like I'm doing that and enjoying the work more than I ever have.

"I'm excited and it's very odd for me to be excited to race.

"But this time I am. I'm here to win a medal and been fighting every day in training and I believe I can."

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