The athletes: Sascha Kindred

What was the last naughty thing you did that you don't want your coach to find out about? (We won't tell).
"I can't actually recall the very last one, but probably something like having a doughnut that I shouldn't have had."

Have you got any superstitions?
"I warm up in the same lane as qualifying. So, say if I qualify in lane six for the finals, I would usually warm up for the next race in lane six as well."

What's the greatest moment in your career so far?
"Winning my first Paralympic gold medal in 2000 in Sydney."

Who's your sporting idol?
"I don't have one in particular. I admire anyone who reaches the number-one spot in their sport. I admire what they did because I know how much dedication they put into it."

Apart from swimming, what's your favourite sport?
"I like football, I follow Manchester United and I follow basketball as well. My team? Chicago Bulls."

What would you eat all day if you weren't an athlete?
"Ice cream and pizza."

What aspect of training makes you groan like a disgruntled teenager?
"The early morning swimming sessions, that usually start before people go to work or kids go to school. I wake up at 5.30am, start training at 6am for two hours, until 8am. It makes me very unsociable."

What's your worst habit?
"Being grumpy in the morning. My coach says that I am very grumpy."

What are you most scared of?
"I don't like snakes."

You're on death row. What's your last meal?
"A lot of mash, with a fillet steak, loads of chips and mayonnaise. Side dish? Some guacamole with the steak. I love it."

You're auditioning for The X Factor. What do you sing and why?
"Probably I would sing Happy by Leona Lewis. It's just a song that I really like."

What's your most embarrassing moment in sport?
"It happened before one of my races, during the national swimming championships in Sheffield, about six years ago. It was just a small race; I went to the toilet, and when I came out, the race was going on, and I was standing at the side of the pool. There was obviously nothing I could do, my race was gone."

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