A SPRAINED ankle didn't stop Prestwich lad Richard Marks from becoming a swimming star.

Richard, a member of Ramsbottom Rascals swimming club, is fast becoming an international star after a wonderful performance in the 2001 JCC Maccabi Youth Games.

But it nearly ended in tears when, just two days before the Games were scheduled to begin, Richard went out for a game of basketball and promptly sprained his ankle - hardly the ideal preparation for a bi sports event.

But the King David High School pupil showed marvellous powers of recovery and ended up not only taking part in the Games but winning three medals as well.

Representing Great Britain, the five-day event was held in Philadelphia USA and included teams from the USA, Canada, Israel, Australia, Mexico, Poland, Venezuela, Great Britain and 31 other countries.

Some 1,750 athletes took part in over 14 different events including swimming with the great Mark Spitz having been a previous USA competitor.

The swimming was always going to be one of the top events.

And Richard played his part to the full.

He won gold in the 100m and two silvers in the 50m and 200m breaststroke events in the 15/16 year aged group.

Richard said it was "fantastic" and it made up a little for missing out on the trip to Israel with senior squad. That was cancelled due to the political situation.