Mathematics student Thomas Green is an athlete on the up. Ranked 7th best club thrower in the world in his category and winner of the IWAS Junior Championships, the 2011 Nottinghamshire Disabled Athlete of the Year narrowly missed out on a place at the Paralympic Games due to injury.

Should the Olympic and Paralympic Games be merged?

The idea of combining the events is idealistic. It’s unlikely that the Games would be extended, so the number of events would have to be reduced and it would be the Paralympics that suffered. The games should cater for all and therefore reducing the number of disability classifications simply would not work. It has already been seen at the Commonwealth Games, where classes have been combined to such a degree that the event borders on tokenism.

The Paralympics represent a unique atmosphere for disabled athletes; crowds far exceed those that we compete in front of at any other competition.

How do you think others view the Paralympics?

The Games are not mainstream yet, but with better coverage, who knows. It annoys me when events are presented poorly due to a lack of understanding. People do not have a moral obligation to like the Paralympics, but with better coverage this summer, people will be in a better position to decide for themselves. If enough people enjoy it, coverage will increase.

Who is your sporting hero?

Stephen Millar, the three-time club-throwing Paralympic champion. Watching him I realised what it was to be an elite athlete and the level that you need to attain in order to compete at that level.

What’s your earliest Olympic memory?

Watching Linford Christie back in 1992, but it’s not until the coverage of Tannie Grey Thompson at Athens 2004 that I have a detailed memory of the Paralympics.

What is your biggest sporting achievement to date?

It would have to be beating Stephen Millar last season. I’m the first British athlete to do so in his senior athletics career. It was a special moment after growing up watching him.

Do you have any pre-event rituals?

I have a set routine — from the time I get up to the food I eat, the visualisation routine and the warm-up I go through. But there’s a fine line between routines and superstitions. I wouldn’t want my performance to be affected because of the order my socks were put on.

How important is the University’s sports bursary?

The financial support helps hugely with the costs of competition. The facilities and staff support are also fantastic, helping me to book extra sessions and to fit my course around competitions. They bend over backwards for me and have never been found wanting.

Follow Thomas on Twitter: @TJG_clubber and read his blog at: thethomasgreenblog.