Mansfield’s Paralympic swimmer Ollie Hynd MBE has been shortlisted for the Athlete of the Year title in the inaugural British Swimming Awards following an outstanding year.

Last year, Ollie added the Commonwealth SM8 200m Individual Medley title to his collection of Paralympic, world and European titles as well as claiming double gold (200m Individual Medley, 400m Freestyle) at his second IPC Swimming European Championships in Eindhoven.

He went into the 2015 season hungry to retain his titles in the 200m Individual Medley and the 400m Freestyle and chase the world record set by his brother, former Paralympic swimmer Sam Hynd, in 2008.

He qualified for the IPC Swimming World Championships after a promising performance at the British Para-Swimming International Meet.

At the world championships in Glasgow, Ollie won the British team’s first gold medal as he retained his 200m Individual Medley crown. But it was the 400m Freestyle gold that really hit the mark. He broke his brother’s world record on his way to victory and became double world champion once again.

The mayor of Mansfield, Kate Allsop, said: “I hope the residents of Mansfield district will join me in voting for Ollie – it only takes a minute to do online. This prestigious title would be another well-deserved accolade to add to Ollie’s growing collection of awards and medals.”

Both Ollie and his training partner Paralympic swimmer Charlotte Henshaw are coached by Mansfield District Council’s Swim Coach and Development Officer Glenn Smith at the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex. They both belong to the Nottinghamshire ASA county Swim Squad, Nova Centurion – Mansfield Squad.

Vote for Ollie at www.swimming.org/britishswimming The winner will be announced on 3 October.