FIVE-TIME Paralympic medallist Stephanie Millward hailed the inspirational atmosphere of the London Aquatics Centre as she continued her comeback from illness at Sunday’s National Paralympic Day meet.

The competition was held in front of a packed crowd in the Olympic Park, roaring on Great Britain to victory over a Rest of the World team.

Box's Millward finished second and third in her S9 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle respectively, but was delighted with her execution within the race.

“Both of my races here were really just about getting inspired and enjoying the event, but obviously I wanted to swim as fast as I can as well,” she said.

“I wanted to get all my technical parts right that I’ve been training really hard at. I did exactly what I wanted to do: I got a nice dive away in my freestyle race, a really quick turn, and kicked off well, so it was a perfect race for what I wanted.

“To perform on National Paralympic Day is such a buzz, and it gives our sport such a chance to shine in front of all these people in this incredible place.

“They’re such a wonderful crowd, cheering away for us, they’re just incredible, and the Aquatic Centre is the perfect facility. It’s a stunning area, it’s to get to and it’s a wonderful building as well.”

The 33-year-old swam in the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, making three finals, before claiming four silvers and one bronze at London 2012.

The National Paralympic Day competition was part of a series of events held across the country designed to help continue the legacy of the 2012 Games with elite athletics also taking part at the Olympic Stadium.

And after a virus stopped her from gaining selection for the 2015 IPC World Championships in Glasgow, Millward was delighted to be back racing in London alongside Paralympic heroes such as Ellie Simmonds and Jessica-Jane Applegate.

“Swimmers like Ellie and Jessica-Jane are so inspirational,” added Millward. “Everything they do inspires me, and when you talk to them you feel like you’re buzzing too because they are. It’s wonderful.

“I’ve got Nationals coming up, which should be really fun because I’m doing three races, and all I want to do is swim faster than I did today.”

And with her fitness gradually returning, Millward is now fully focused on getting back to her best for next year’s Paralympics in Rio.

“The Paralympics next year are a possibility, but just imagine if I made it to Rio. It would make all the early morning training swims worth it. It would be a dream come true,” she said.

National Paralympic Day is generously supported by Spirit of 2012. Find out more at www.paralympics.org.uk/npd2015