By Megan Armitage at La Defense Arena

Harry Stewart revealed that he had mixed emotions after clinching a fifth place finish on Paralympic debut.

The Dorset swimmer clocked a time of 1:05.75 in the men's 100m breaststroke to finish less than a second off the podium in Paris.

After a brilliant year that also saw the 20-year-old crowned European Champion in the event, Stewart admitted that fifth at the Paralympic Games really isn't all that bad.

"I'm feeling alright, I have some mixed emotions but I'm happy to have got in the final," he said. "Fifth in the world is not too bad.

"I do wish that I had got a better time but in the heat of the moment I think the nerves maybe got a bit on top of me and I'm definitely happy with that.

"It was anyone's race to win. Going in, there was just a second between first and fifth and I just wanted to go in as relaxed as possible to see what I could do.

"You're always going to have nerves, you're not human if you don't and everyone raced brilliantly."

Stewart came out strong in the final, having also qualified fifth fastest and with all to race for in the French capital.

The breaststroker's fifth place finish came sandwiched between gold for Britain in the pool as Ellie Challis and Louise Fiddes took their maiden Paralympic titles.

And having seen both his teammates soar to gold at their second Games, Stewart was already thinking about what he could produce four years down the road at LA 2028, but not before some well-deserved rest.

"It's been a hectic and long year but I really appreciate this moment and I'm really happy to be here," he said.

"I'll be signing off for the season now. Everyone says it and it's a bit cliche but I would love to go to LA. I will keep working hard each year and hopefully I can get there as well."

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