Patterson eyeing third Paralympic medal in Paris pool

Dolphins swim star Grant 'Scooter' Patterson is planning to soak up the crowds at the Paris Paralympics as he looks to add to his medal haul.

Competing in his third Games, the 35-year-old Queenslander clinched a silver and bronze in Tokyo but did so without any real support in the stands due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The short-statured Patterson, known as the unofficial mayor of Cairns, is excited to hit the pool in Paris.

"In Tokyo, walking out to the final there was no-one there so it was a bit sad," Patterson said.

"I really enjoy it (the crowds), I'm a bit of a character, an entertainer, and I really love the crowd when they give you a hype-up.

"Wearing the green and gold, walking out, representing your country is a pretty special moment and to be able to do that on a world-class stage is pretty special.

"I'm feeling very fit, I know I'm old, shouldn't say that, but I'm feeling very fit. I've been doing some good times in the water, I'm excited to see what we could pull out when we taper down a bit more next week."

Making the moment even more memorable for Patterson is he's able to have his long-time coach Andrew 'Herbie' Howard pool-side after he became an official Paralympic coach for the Australia team.

"I keep saying that Herbie and I have been together for 17 years; it's longer than the average marriage in Australia, and this trip to Paris is pretty much our honeymoon so we've been taking a few photos together, going on a few sights, which is good," said Patterson, who will compete in the SM3 150m individual medley and SB2 50m breaststroke.

Australia will have a 30-strong contingent in the swimming, which starts on Thursday, August 29 and concludes on Saturday, September 7.

The team is spearheaded by three-time gold medallist Brenden Hall, who will equal an Australian Para-swimming record with his fifth Games appearance, while there are seven debutantes including exciting freestyle sprinter Alexa Leary.