SWIMMER Stephen Clegg has secured gold at the Paralympic Games after previously finishing on the podium three times.

The former Tranent ASC member lived up to his world-class tag by winning gold in the S12 100m backstroke on Saturday in a stunning new world record in Paris.

The event, where the University of Edinburgh swimmer has had multiple international successes, was the first opportunity for Clegg to win his maiden Paralympic gold medal, and he delivered in sparkling fashion.

The Mat Trodden-coached swimmer eased through the morning heats – taking considerable momentum into the evening’s finals.

Clegg, who is the brother of fellow para-swimmer James Clegg and para-athlete Libby Clegg, said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s got me here, my team, my coaches, I’m very fortunate to be part of such an incredible programme in Edinburgh.

“They support me and we support each other.

“We’ve had a hard few months as a squad in terms of things going on behind the scenes and I’m glad I could do this for them.

“That’s for them. I wouldn’t have got here without them.

“Not long ago this was one of my weaker events and now I’m a world record holder.”

Clegg imposed his quality by finishing over a second ahead of the rest of the field.

Turning at the 50m in 28.48s, the record was on – delivering a stunning split of 30.54s to win his first medal of the week at the first time of asking.

Stephen finished in 59.02s, ahead of long-time rival Raman Salei (1m00.67s) and Yaroslav Denysenko (1m01.52s).

The former East Lothian Swim Team (ELST) member said: “Coming into this, I wanted to have a good go on this race to get the monkey off the back.

“That gold had been a long time coming.

“Now the pressure is off a little bit in terms of that sort of barrier I’ve had.

“What a way to start for me, I’m over the moon with it.

“This morning, I said I was wracked with nerves but with a bit of maturity, that’s good for me now.

“In Tokyo and Rio, nerves crippled me and that was me done. Now they fuel me.

“I know I’m ready to go when I’ve got tingles in my fingers and I had them in my heat and final today.

“I knew there was something good coming.”

The 28-year-old was due to compete in the heats of the men’s 100m freestyle on Wednesday and the 100m butterfly on Saturday.