Truro swimmer prepares for Down syndrome games in Florence

A Truro man with Down syndrome continues to kick his way down the fast lane as he prepares for another international swimming competition this time in Florence, Italy.

Matthew Hunter, 27, will race in the Trisomy Games this July. The event features a range of sports for athletes with Down syndrome.

• Dad's emotional defence of Down syndrome sparks outpouring of support

Hunter has competed in several other world events, including the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles and Athens.

He says in spite of his extensive resume, he is still "very, very excited" for Florence.

"It's going well. I'm training for Canada," Hunter said.

He trains six days a week with his swimming club in Truro. Hunter also makes the trip to Halifax once a week to practise in a bigger pool.

Jol Hunter says his son follows an intense fitness regime.

"In addition to the training in the pool, he is also in the gym three, four days a week building up his muscle strength and he's on a very strict diet and he's very careful with his sleep patterns and those sorts of things," he said.

Proud family

Matthew Hunter has taken his family around the world several times for swimming competitions. His father says no words can explain how proud they are of his accomplishments.

"When you consider the journey of his life to date and the number of challenges he's had to meet and deal with, for him to be able to compete at this level is just a wonderful thing," Jol Hunter said.

Matthew's sister, Sarah Warford, agrees.

"When you watch him swim, it is so easy to tell that he loves it and that when he's in the pool there is nowhere he would rather be," she said.

Ready to race

Warford describes her brother's ambition as a driving force for people with or without Down syndrome.

"He will be the accountability partner to the laziest person in the world and make you move."

Tony Liew, captain of the Dalhousie Tigers swim team, coaches Hunter at Dalplex once a week. He says the world-class athlete has come a long way since they started training together in January.

"We have a bit of work to do but he's on track for sure. He is definitely in the right head space and the right attitude too," said Liew.