Favourite event: 400m Freestyle. It’s not an all out sprint. You can also use tactics and have time to see the rest of the field.
Finest ever performance/Why: I have two. Winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006 in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay for England, it was a great race to be involved in especially as we beat the Australians. If I am ever feeling low, I watch this race and it picks me up. Individually, the 400Fr at the Olympic Trials, I was the fastest qualifier from the heats and that gave me so much confidence for the final.
First international meet: European Junior Championships in 2003 and 2004. We got to the final of the 4x200m Freestyle Relay in 2003 and won a medal in that event the following year. I don’t talk about my individual swims from those meets, they were not great!
Role models: David Beckham. I think he always performs to his best and he has to put up with a lot on and off the pitch. I also admire Mark Foster because he simply just keeps going.
My aspirations are: To work hard in training in the lead up to the Olympics and improve my times. I want to get as close to a final as I possibly can in Beijing. Long term, I will keep swimming until I stop having fun. I swim best when I’m happy.
Tip for the top: Simply enjoy it and have fun
Life after swimming: To take some time out to travel. I get to swim in many places around the world, but do not get the opportunity to explore. I would like to travel around the USA. Also I may run a marathon one day.
Music: Most things. I like the Kooks, but have never seen them live as I can never get tickets due to training commitments. Enjoy Oasis also.
If I wasn’t a swimmer I would be a: I would be at university probably. Career wise, I have always been interested in working in television. I would like to work in London one day, living in a big city really appeals to me.
Football, Cricket or Rugby: Football for entertainment I enjoy watching Arsenal. However, there seems to be too much politics involved in football and the players disrespect authority quite a lot. Which is why I also enjoy watching rugby as it does not have that side to it.
Describe yourself in three words: Fun / Moody / Clown
Would most like to meet: Jessica Simpson or Rihanna, they would be my ideal women. I’d also like to go for a drink with David Beckham and Jeremy Clarkson.
Most prized possessions: I have a lot of photos from when I was in Australia at the Offshore Centre. My Commonwealth Gold medal, which I need a new frame as the old one fell off the mantel piece and broke! Also my watch which I got for my 21st birthday.
Biggest influence on career: All of my coaches. In particular Svetli Tomov my first coach and Dave Calleja, who was at the Offshore Centre in Australia. I was only 16 when I went and it was a big test for me. I found it so hard and Dave kept me going.
