Doncaster born athlete Craig McCann who featured at the 2012 London Paralympic games, has returned home to train at the Keepmoat stadium.
The Team GB Fencer hopes he can fulfil his ambition and working towards the medals table at the next Olympics, after a fairly unsuccessful time in London for the fencing team.
However, the team have had funding cut and without outside help, McCann will not be able to make it to Rio.
“We desperately need private donations to help us along the way. We (McCann and fellow Olympian Gemma Collis) are looking at needing around about £1000 a competition for both of us and double that for others.”
Collis, who was also present, said: “If we can’t get the support we need in order to get to the international competitions, we just can’t qualify.
“You qualify through the world rankings and without entering in the international’s we can’t get the points to get there”.
The team finished eighth at the games, which is something McCann was disappointed with.
“In terms of personal results we did nowhere near as well as we should, but it was the team’s first time at the games so it is all about getting the experience.
Although being disappointed, McCann does believe in himself and the team and that they can do much better in four years should they compete.
“It was very fast to get here over two years. I wanted to do rowing, but to spend the year building up to London as Britain’s number one and the experience of this summer, will hopefully help get us on the medals table.”
Rovers, as part of Club Doncaster have let both McCann and Collis use the facilities at the Keepmoat at no cost which enables them to train off-season.
“We’re really fortunate to be able to train here at the stadium, without having to worry about getting even more funding to cover that.
“The facilities are perfect for what we want to do, and help us with everything we need.”