Jessica Lewis is the epitome of calm as she prepares for one of the biggest races of her life at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Wednesday afternoon.

Lewis heads into the T53 100 metres final at 3.06pm Bermuda time with the third-fastest time this season among the field, but while that usually leads to pressure and a weight of expectation, the Bermuda sprinter is more laid-back than she has been at any other Olympics.

“I feel a sense of calm here which is something I’ve not felt in any of the Games before,” Lewis said.

“I’m hoping that will stay right through until race time and I’m sure there will be nerves, but I’m hoping my confidence will stay right through.

“I have the third-fastest time in the field this year but I’ve never beaten the girls I’m ahead of in an actual race so just going into the competition, I’m focusing on doing everything I can to run a race that I will be proud of and hopefully Bermuda can be proud of as well.

“This one still has the same level of excitement and pride at representing Bermuda but I definitely have the feeling of being a little bit calmer.

I’m attributing that to having a lot of faith to the work I have put in. Now the focus is not necessarily the competition but to focus on myself and the things that I do to make sure I’m in top form come raceday.“

It is a confidence in her pre-Paralympic workouts that has created the sense of stillness in Lewis and her relationship with coach Geoff Harris has proved key to her recent improvements, which include breaking the 27-year T53 100 metres America record in June.

“My training has been absolutely phenomenal,” Lewis said.

“I’m incredibly grateful to my coach Geoff. Going into these Games he is helping me feel the most prepared and most confident that I’ve ever felt, so I’m grateful to him and thankful for Athletics Canada for allowing me to join their pre-training camp in Spain.

That allowed me to train with Geoff in the lead-up to the Paralympics and in my last session in Spain we did a start session and I produced some very quick times on a slow track, so I’m very excited to see what happens on a fast track here in Paris.

“When I was in Spain on the last day I did a time-trial 100 metres and I did a PB of 16.1sec on a slow track, which has definitely given me a good boost, so I’m just hoping my body is fresh and ready to go.”

Harris has dual responsibilities at the Paralympics as he works with the Canada Paralympics squad but Lewis is thankful for the scheduling ahead of her 100 metres final.

“I definitely am used to having a coach full time so him working with the Canadian team means he will be a little busier than usual but he is absolutely phenomenal at making sure that he is available,” Lewis said.

“I just have to send him a message and he will be there to support me as well, which I’m really grateful for. I don’t know how he does it but it’s amazing how he can handle so many athletes at once.

On the night of my 100 metres final, I don’t think there are any Canadian athletes competing, which will be really nice to have Geoff to myself.“

Lewis is representing Bermuda at her fourth Olympic Games and with her races only starting on Wednesday, she had the chance to follow the journey of Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, who finished fourth in the boccia competition on Sunday.

“I’m so proud of Yushae for making it here and it’s just been incredible to see the progression of her career and I’m really excited to support her,” Lewis said.

“Her competition is done before I even start so it was a nice feeling to support her during her journey here.”

Lewis is also competing in the T53 400 metres final at 2.56pm on Thursday and will have plenty of Bermudian support on hand in the Olympic Stadium

“My mom [Lorri Lewis] is here and she is our team chef de mission and my dad has flown in,” Lewis said.

“My dad’s cousin and his wife will come and so will my boyfriend, so I have a nice cheering squad here.”