Thomas Young burst onto the scene last summer when he smashed the T38 100m final in Tokyo to claim Paralympic gold. A year later and he is now eyeing up taking home another medal of the same colour, but this time at Birmingham 2022. He is our next #Generation22 athlete.

Thomas' running inspiration has also lit up the track at a Commonwealth Games, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. And ever since watching him at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Thomas wanted to emulate his success. But his love for the sport is driven by more than just winning.

"There is something just so great about going quick, especially when you are out in front and you can hear the crowd cheering you on." said Thomas when we caught up with him at his training session in Loughborough.

"Being able to run quick, you just feel so free and amazing."

And Thomas is out in front a lot! As already mentioned, he took the Paralympics by storm, sprinting to gold in one of the marque events to cap off a brilliant trip to Japan.

"To even go to Tokyo was so good, especially with the pandemic delaying everything. To be able to go out there and experience everything. 

"But to win was just unbelievable. I've been waiting for so long and wanting it for so long, to actually go out there and get the gold ended the trip perfectly."

Next up, Birmingham 2022. And it's be a competition that Thomas has had his eyes on for a while.

"When I first decided I wanted to be an athlete, the Commonwealth Games stood out. When I was younger, 2022 sounded so long away, but it's come around so quickly and now it's here!

"If I was to be selected it would feel so good, and the opportunity to go and compete at a home Games is going to feel even better."

"It is such a big honour to represent your country. It's something every kid dreams about, so to be able to represent Team England is going to be a dream come true."

Like many athletes who compete at a Commonwealth Games, being able to represent England is something quite unique.

"I've never actually represented England before," Thomas exclaims! 

"It's always Great Britain and Northern Ireland. So this will be the first time I get to wear an England vest and I am very excited."

Despite still being relatively young, Thomas has some wise words beyond his years when asked what advice he would have for youngsters trying to get into sport.

"Keep at it, there is lots of things to learn, but you have to enjoy it." 

"I always try and enjoy the sport, because if you are not able to enjoy it, you won't be able to do as well."

Thomas trains five days a week at Loughborough University, and the life of a high performance athlete can for some be a challenge, so we had to ask him, "do you enjoy it?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way!

"I just love it so much! I can come, see my friends, train, work and do something I love everyday. It's just so fun."

When asked how important his support system has been to him, Thomas responds humbly. 

"That's the main thing. Family, friends, your team around you, Team England, ParalympicsGB, British Athletics, there are too many people to name but I do just want to say thank you to everyone. Without you guys it wouldn't be possible.

"And the fans, coming to the stadiums to watch you, tweeting congratulations, they are as important as my support group."

Outside of running extremely fast Thomas enjoys the same things as many others his age.

"I am big Fulham fan, so each week I go around the country, home and away to support. It's a lot of fun. And I also love Fifa too, I'm just a normal 21-year-old lad: football & Xbox!"

We cannot wait to see Thomas hopefully representing Team England at Birmingham 2022, and hopefully bringing home another gold medal to add to his collection. 

He is certainly one to watch out for at the Games! And is a more than deserving member of our Generation 22 class.

Bring It Home!