LONDON 2012 ultimately proved too soon for Craig Harris but following his most impressive meet yet, his coach says the Rio Paralympics in 2016 are a ‘realistic target’.

Harris, 13, charged to triple gold at the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games - held at the Olympic Aquatics Centre this week - and recorded two personal bests in the process.

The Swindon Dolphin swimmer, who has autism, is normally an S14 category flyer but went up against competitors with a range of disabilities.

Starting off with a gold medal and a PB of 28.03 in the 50m freestyle, the Isambard pupil showed no sign of letting up as he touched the wall first in the 100m backstroke.

As if that wasn’t enough, Harris, competing for England South, then put up a superb sprint finish in the 100m freestyle to clock a brilliant PB of 1:01.70.

Louise Clayton, head coach at Swindon Dolphin, praised Harris for his efforts in the capital and says that major championships are within the youngster’s capabilities if he continues to develop.

She said: “For Craig to be selected for the competition in the first place was a great achievement and to do what he did was a great experience for him.

“It was the second time he had swam in the Olympic pool so he had experience from that point of view, and for him to get maximum points from all three races certainly helped England South finish second overall out of the eight teams.

“The chance for him to make the London Olympics has gone but he was competing against guys who were in their late teens and early 20s, and physically he isn’t that strong yet.

“But over the next couple of years he will develop and the likes of the World Championships and the Olympics are realistic targets.

“His main target is probably going to be Rio in 2016 when he is 17 and we don’t push that too much, but of course he is aware of it and is very excited because that’s his major goal.”

Clayton added that Harris’ attitude in training stood him in good stead and that he was enjoying life at Swindon Dolphin alongside his peers.

“He’s very enthusiastic,” she said. “Although like all kids he is challenging at times, he’s a great part of the group and a real team player. The group are great with him and he fits in really well.”

Some 208 swimmers competed at the School Games this week and regional teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland took part.