Russia and Spain set to go head-to-head in the pool

"It gives you an extra buzz to know that they are all supporting me and just wanting to be the best that I can be.”

The Paralympic swimming competition has reached the half-way mark with 59 gold medals already distributed to some of the best athletes in the world.

Records have fallen in their hundreds, with world records being broken in every session so far.

And with fourteen more gold medals up for grabs on Day 5 (3 September), expect more mind-boggling performances.

The most exhilarating race of day four was the men’s relay, which produced a huge reception from the crowd. Great Britain’s Robert Welbourne described just why it is so special.

He said: “I love the relay. It's great to be here and do individual events, but when you can share that with the three other guys in the relay team, it's very special.

“The crowd were the loudest I've ever heard them.”

However, it is also the turn of the women to ignite the Aquatics Centre when they go in the 4x100m freestyle relay 34 points race.

Russia will be looking for a strong performance and will be boosted by the inclusion of Olesya Vladykina, who has already won gold at these games.

But the Spanish are not to be ignored, and they will have Teresa Perales leading the line for them. The S5 swimmer will be desperate for gold after winning two silvers and a bronze so far at London.

She will also be joined by Sarai Gascon, who will share the same determination after narrowly missing out on gold in the women’s 100m butterfly S9 final.

Ellie Simmonds, the home-town hero who smashed a world record in the women’s 400m freestyle to win gold on Day 3 (1 September), is back in action as she enters the pool in the women’s 200m individual medley SM6 heats, with desire to reach the 17:39 final.

After crediting the home crowd for her victory in her last race, she is hoping for the same response again.

She said: “It definitely is a home advantage, and it gives you an extra buzz to know that they are all supporting me and just wanting to be the best that I can be.”

But Simmonds was modest when talking about her chances for the individual medley, she said: “I’m just going to go out there and swim my best, that’s what my aim was to do in the 400m (freestyle) and that worked out well.

“But you never know what way it’s going to go, so I am just going to go out there and make sure I do the best I can.”

Maksym Veraska will be entering the pool for the first time as he goes in the men’s 200m individual medley SM12, with an eye on the 19:07 final, and we will also see Oxana Savchenko looking for her second gold medal in the women’s alternative.