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Birmingham flies the flag at Beijing Paralympics
PAUL Shaw and Claire Cashmore are going for gold in Beijing.
The patriotic pair are set to join Paralympic Team GB in September aiming to beat the previous haul of 93 medals, including 35 golds.
Nineteen-year-old swimmer Claire, who won two bronze medals at the Athens Games in 2004, joined rugby star Paul to flag up the nation's chances.
They were in Birmingham as it was confirmed that the squad's Paralympic Games campaign will be launched from the National Indoor Arena in July.
The team will collect kit and get advice on coping with China's climate, before taking part in a parade from Jury's Inn, Broad Street, to the NIA on July 26.
Claire, who grew up in Kidderminster and now lives in Tavistock, Devon, was born with the lower part of her left arm missing.
"The only thing I can't really do properly is clap, and the only time I ever need to use my prosthetic arm is when I'm driving, otherwise I manage well enough without it," she said
"I've always loved the water and used to train with Wyre Forest Swimming Club, but they didn't really have the facilities I needed, which is why I moved to Devon."
Paul, who lost the use of his legs after a car crash in 1991, got involved with wheelchair rugby during his rehabilitation.
The 36-year-old joined Birmingham Bandits rugby team in 1992.