Para-triathlete Ollie Scott is relishing going toe-to-toe with competitors twice his age as he targets a podium finish in every Para Tri Super Series event next year.

The 15-year-old from Faversham, a lower left-arm amputee, is on a wider mission to prove para-athletes can compete alongside able-bodied contenders and is making a name for himself in the triathlon community.

He only got into the sport because he couldn’t be classified by para-athletics in long-distance running due to his disability.

Scott, who trains with MedwayTri in Gravesend, is following in the footsteps of Mike Salisbury, Claire Cashmore and Finley Jakes through British Paratriathlon’s Talent Pathway Programme.

“I used to do athletics from the age of eight so that was my main focus,” said Scott, selected to be part of Aldi’s Rising Stars programme, an initiative with SportsAid which provides talented young athletes with financial support, recognition and personal development opportunities.

“When I went to try and get classified for para-athletics, due to the disability I’ve got, I was only able to take part in sprint distances which wasn’t the distances that I excelled in.

“The pandemic was the chance for me to reflect and, coming out of lockdown, I decided I was going to put all of my effort into triathlon.

“I did a few time trials for para-triathlon to see if I could get into the Academy and it was around August time two years ago that I was put on to a confirmation Academy.”

Each athlete on the Rising Stars programme, launched with SportsAid last year, receives funding to help towards costs such as travel, accommodation, equipment and nutrition. Aldi also delivers workshop sessions on a range of topics to help nurture athletes.

This includes top tips on healthy eating and performance nutrition, restful sleep, managing mental wellbeing, social media training and making the most of working with the media.

Scott has had his major Games dream propelled by the initiative.

He said: “I’d love to compete for ParalympicsGB or at any major games - but the Paralympics is the main aim.

“At the moment my current bike I’m on is a loan from British Triathlon, so I’m going to use some of the funding to buy a new road bike which will help me improve in the future.

“Next year, I want to continue in the Super Series, podium in all races and, hopefully, get on to the Next Generation programme.”

Aldi is the Official Supermarket Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB and have partnered with Team GB since 2015, ParalympicsGB since 2022 and will be supporting them through to Paris 2024.