Daring Duric to begin his road to Rio at Eindhoven 2014

“I am a world record holder, I won two world titles, but I haven’t won a Paralympic medal yet. This is my biggest goal in my swimming career.”

Slovenian double world champion Darko Duric will place himself firmly on the road to Rio at August’s IPC Swimming European Championships from 4-10 August, revealing that he is targeting his first Paralympic gold medal at the 2016 Games.

“I am a world record holder, I won two world titles, but I haven’t won a Paralympic medal yet. This is my biggest goal in my swimming career,” the former sitting volleyball player said.

Duric, nicknamed ‘Dare’, said that after a “free” season so far in 2014, the European Championships in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, mark the start of his journey to add Paralympic silverware to his collection.

“In Montreal [2013 World Championships] I surprised everybody, even myself,” he said. “I expected gold in 50m butterfly, but medals in 100m and 200m freestyle were a really big shock for me. What is different? After Montreal I know I can compete with the best swimmers in S4. I can be better, but I know I will have to work much harder.”

At London 2012 Duric broke the S4 world record twice in the heats and finals of the 50m butterfly S5, a record which is yet to be bettered. He was competing in the race which combined athletes with less severe impairments, and finished outside of the medals in fifth.

“After 2011 I improved a lot. I performed really well in Paralympic Games, where I achieved up to today my personal best results,” he said.

All of this means that at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, Duric is aiming to defend his 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly world title and maybe even improve on his 200m freestyle silver. By then Rio 2016 will be just around the corner.

“In London I achieved a sixth, two fifth places and one fourth place,” the 25 year-old said. “If I continue in this way, maybe I can finish on the top. That is my dream and my goal. I believe I can win gold, if I perform at my best. Nothing is impossible.”

Duric will begin his road to Rio alongside around 400 swimmers from 40 countries from 4-10 August at the 2014 IPC Swimming European Championships.

More information, including the competition schedule, tickets and media accreditation, is available at www.eindhoven2014.com.

All morning and afternoon sessions across the competition will be livestreamed at www.ParalympicSport.TV.