 Cundy is giving up life in the pool after his 16-year career |
Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Jody Cundy has quit swimming to focus on his ambition to be part of Britain's cycling squad at the 2008 Paralympics. Cundy won gold and set a world record in the team sprint on his cycling debut at the Paralympic World Cup in May.
The encouraging start persuaded the Swansea-based athlete to stop swimming and train solely as a track cyclist.
"The move to cycling gives me a new challenge in sport," said Cundy. "I'm setting personal bests all the time."
The 27-year-old combined training for both sports but will now focus on his work under the British cycling programme.
 | My short-term target is to get faster and then go on to a medal, or win, at the Beijing Paralympics |
Cundy is working towards a long-term ambition of winning a place in the squad for the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.
He said: "I knew if I wanted to compete as a cyclist in Beijing I would have to make the move sooner rather than later.
"When British Cycling invited me to a camp and discussed my options I knew now was the right time.
"My short-term target is to get faster over 1km, see how I react to training full time and then go on to a medal, or win, at the Beijing Paralympics."
Cundy took part in his first Paralympic Games in Atlanta where, as an 18-year-old, he won his first gold in the S10 100m butterfly.
He repeated the feat in Sydney and also added a relay title. In Athens, Cundy was disappointed to only take bronze in the butterfly and relay gold.
Cundy follows the example of former swimming team-mate Sarah Bailey, who made a successful switch from the pool to cycling last year.
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