Fliss Pickard stands on the threshold of her first Paralympics knowing it has been a long journey to get to this point – but also knowing the journey is far from over.

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The Burnley athlete’s career has taken in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where she just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth.

From that agony came the ecstasy of becoming world champion in the 2022 Women’s Class 14 Doubles alongside Grace Williams, also adding a mixed bronze with Billy Shilton. Two further bronzes followed at the home European Para Championships, in singles and again with Williams.

So she heads to Paris, where she will compete in Class 6 Singles and Class 14 Doubles, with high hopes and a stock of important experiences to draw on. She is also conscious that, as with any journey, what is ahead can only be tackled one step at a time.

“I think I’ve personally had a massive journey, learning a lot about myself,” she said. “And along the way I’ve played Commonwealth Games and European Championships in front of the home crowd, so I can really learn from that experience and really draw on it in the biggest moments, especially when you’ve got that atmosphere in Paris.

“For me personally in the singles, I put a lot of hard graft in. It’s been a long journey, but I just can’t wait to go out there and show the real Fliss Pickard and I believe I’m capable of doing great things.

“But again, it’s one step at a time, one match at a time, even one point at a time. In table tennis, you just don’t know what’s going to happen next. So yes, I’ll take everything in my stride.”

Pickard was speaking at the GB squad training base in Sheffield during the final preparation camp and she added: “Preparations have been going great.

“I feel like I’m really peaking at the right time and all the hard work’s paid off on the field. I feel in a really good place. And I’m enjoying it, which is the most important thing.”

“This environment, especially on camp weeks when you’ve got all the athletes together, is an amazing atmosphere and really high energy, and we really support each other and really push each other to be the best we can. And at the same time, we have fun, so what more can you ask?

“I’m incredibly excited to get out there with the rest of the team.”

Pickard will have a new partner in the Women’s Class 14 Doubles, partnering 14-year-old Bly Twomey and she said: “It’s been unbelievable working with Bly.

“She really brings a great energy and she’s really taught me a lot and she’s pushing me on every day. She doesn’t realise she’s doing it, but yeah, she’s been incredible. So we learn from each other.

“I hope I can keep her calm and bring the best out of her. But she also brings the fun and brings the atmosphere to the game and we have a great time together.

“I think together me and Bly are very dangerous for any pair in the world. I think we can achieve anything we believe we can achieve and, on our day, we can beat anyone.

“But I’m going to take it one step at a time – obviously, it’s our first Games and I think we’re both incredibly excited.”

Having played two major championships on home soil, Paris is as close as it gets to a third, and Pickard is looking forward to the support of the crowd.

She said: “I’ve got the closest family to me coming out. It’ll mean a lot and be very special for them to see me compete at the biggest stage of them all.

“But I know I’m going to have huge support from even like Brighton Table Tennis Club. I think they’re bringing like 120 people. So yeah, it’ll be good and obviously a great atmosphere.”

Whatever happens in the French capital, the journey will continue, and Pickard hopes she can inspire and guide the next generation of para players.

“I’ve always been hungry and always been really passionate about what I want to achieve and the goals I’ve achieved,” she said.

“But if you’d seen the young Fliss Pickard, I wouldn’t be able to sit here today and be one week away from going to the Paralympic Games, so I can be unbelievably proud.

“British Para TT is a massive community and all I’ve seen is it grow since I came along, and if I can be one small part of that, that would be amazing.

“That’s why I always try to support the local table tennis tournaments for the up-and-coming youngsters, and I believe in a few years’ time, in LA and Brisbane, we’re going to be even stronger than ever and it’s just exciting. Hopefully they can carry on pushing me to great things and I’ll be helping them along the way.”