Paralympian champion 'amazes dad every day'

Ellie Challis swam to gold in the S3 50m backstroke final in Paris - going one better on her Tokyo silver

The father of a Paralympian champion said his daughter "amazes me every day" after the 20-year-old swimmer secured gold in Paris.

Ellie Challis, from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, swam a lifetime best of 53.56 seconds in the S3 50m backstroke final at the La Defense Arena on Monday.

Her father Paul told the BBC: "Outside of having my children, it was probably the best night of my life - it was just absolutely incredible."

Challis will now swim in the S3 100m freestyle heats on Tuesday.

Mr Challis, who is in Paris to support his daughter during the Games, said: "It was just a relief, it is sort of expected but you never want to dream that it is going to happen.

"It was such a brilliant night."

Ellis Challis secured gold in the S3 50m backstroke - and will take part in the S3 100m freestyle heats n Tuesday

He added: "It is not normal for me, but I think I started crying at the halfway point.

"It was just relief, what we were hoping she might do, she did.

"A lot of people tie up with the nerves, but for her to do this with a smile on her face, she amazes me every day, she has done all her life.

"She has done wonderful things in her life, and it just a message to everyone no matter her situation, life is there for you and she's made so much of her life."

'Big cuddle'

The Paralympian is back in the pool on Tuesday to compete for a place in the final of the S3 100m freestyle event.

Ahead of her heats, Mr Challis said: "This is a free shot now, the thing she came over for - she's done, so anything else is a bonus.

"Coming to the Paralympics is quite an achievement in itself - she is in such a great place."

He said he has not been able to see his daughter much while the Games have been taking place.

"I gave her a big cuddle and saw her for about half an hour before she got back on the bus to the village," he said.

"She's just made up, it's been eight years of training, moving to Manchester to get her specialist training.

"Normally I'm as calm as anything, she doesn't get nervous.

"She does everything with a smile on her face."