With Saturday 31st October marking 1,000 days to go until London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games, the stars of British aquatics are counting down the days until they compete in front of their home crowd in what is likely to be the biggest competition of their lives.
Preparations are already well under way in Stratford as the Olympic venues are being built, but the athletes’ work in the pool has been years in the making as they all aim to compete on the Olympic stage come 2012.
After returning from their most successful World Championships ever, the British Gas Swimming squad will be looking to improve further upon their performances as they get closer to the Olympic Games. In Beijing, the team secured six medals in the pool and open water and they will be looking to continue their success through the next three years.
After her success in Beijing, double Olympic Champion Becky Adlington will be hoping for a repeat result in London. The Freestyle specialist found herself as the golden girl of 2008 and the thought of competing at home makes the prospect even more appealing: “I’m really excited that the London Games is getting nearer, a home Games is something that the majority of Olympians are never able to experience, so the motivation for me to be able to defend my two Olympic titles is incredibly high. It’s going to be amazing!”
Olympic bronze medallist and world record holder, Joanne Jackson, left Rome with three medals under her belt and a determination to make London her focus. The 23-year-old’s results have been improving year on year and she looks set to be on top form in 2012.
“I think I can improve a lot more next year and in the next few years building up to London because I am starting to get in the gym a lot more,” said Jackson.
“It’s going to be great to compete at home and I can’t even imagine what the atmosphere is going to be like.
“I think it definitely helps that people did well in Beijing. That has definitely inspired younger people and there are some really good swimmers coming through. Hopefully the youngsters can keep coming through and that will make sure the seniors have to keep improving.”
Recently crowned 50m Backstroke World Champion, Liam Tancock is back in training after his victory in Rome and is more determined than ever that London is his aim. Looking forward to having the home support,he is hoping to continue his good form right through to 2012.
“I never thought the Olympics would come to Britain in my lifetime, so to see it in London when I will be at my peak in physical fitness is great,” said Tancock.
“I remember watching the announcement on TV, how excited the crowd were and how excited I felt.
“It will definitely boost me and the rest of the team having a home crowd. We got a taste of it in Manchester at the World Short Course Championships where the atmosphere was amazing. Hopefully the crowd will double in size in London and that will hype us up and get us ready for competition.”
After her amazing performances at the World Championships in Rome, Gemma Spofforth, 100m Backstroke Champion, knows where she wants to be in 1,000 days. The world record holder, currently training in Florida, is looking forward seeing the home crowd turn out to support the British team in London and wants to be at the heart of the action.
“I am so excited about competing in London, after seeing how the Italians lit up the stadium in Rome and I am ready to see how amazing the atmosphere will be in London,” said Spofforth.
“I think it will be a totally different experience to Beijing, the atmosphere will be completely fantastic and I don't think there can really be any sort of comparison.
“Having a home crowd behind me will inspire and motivate me to find something a little extra in training and counting down the days to London 2012 is great motivation to keep going through hard training times!”
Cassie Patten, Olympic bronze medallist in open water, is looking forward to experiencing the support of the home crowd in London. The Stockport-based swimmer went to Beijing as a first time Olympian and took away a wealth of experience that she will use in 2012.
“It’s very exciting to know that the Olympics is going to be in London,” Patten said.
“When we were out in Beijing the support was amazing, and that was half way around the world. So to think of the support we will be getting at home is incredible.
“Having a home crowd will definitely give me the extra push. In Beijing only my mum, dad and sister could come out to support me and a lot of other swimmers’ families couldn’t afford it, so I think that the support of our families and all of the fans should be brilliant.”
The nation’s attention was focused on Tom Daley as the 15-year-old earlier this year captured the world men’s Platform Individual title in Rome. For Daley, that gold medal represented years of hard work, but it is from now on that the hard work truly begins as he prepares to compete on the Olympic stage in front of his home crowd.
“Knowing that it is going to be in London has definitely given me the extra kick and motivation to work harder. Any Olympics is great but with it being in your own country it is something that is really special,” he said.
“After winning the gold medal at the World Championships it has motivated me more because I know I can be the world’s best and I just hope that I can do it again in London.
“I was quite young when it was announced that London was going to host the Olympics but I remember that we were in Australia at a camp. We were waiting for Kim’s [White, Technical Programmes Manager] phone to ring and when it did we were all so excited. It meant so much and we were all jumping up and down. I remember thinking this is a real opportunity and knowing that it would be special.
“I am really looking forward to the home Olympics. I know it is still three years away but it will go so quickly and I know it will be great.”
As one half of the British Gas Synchronised Swimming Duet, Jenna Randall competed in her first Olympic Games last year with partner Olivia Allison. The duo just missed out on making the final but the impression Beijing left on Randall is spurring her on to compete in London.
“I remember in Beijing, whenever any of the Chinese athletes were introduced the whole crowd went crazy and the stadium trembled. It was incredible and I’m hoping that London will be like that,” said Randall.
“The fact that it is so close to where I live is amazing and the home crowd will get us really pumped up and ready to compete. We’ve improved a lot in recent years and the team as a whole is really focused on performing in London.”
Women’s Water Polo captain Ros Griffiths led her team to the gold medal at the LEN European B Nations Trophy in July and is determined to see the team competing in London. Despite a funding cut at the beginning of the year the team are more focused on their dream of becoming Olympians. With some good results in the past few years and some young players coming through the ranks the team look in good form as they edge closer to 2012.
“It’s so exciting to think that in 1,000 days time we could be in the Olympic Village making the final preparations for a home Olympics,” said Griffiths.
“It’s going to be amazing to compete in front of a home crowd and all of the team are looking forward to it. Winning the LEN European B Nations Trophy earlier this year has made us more determined to keep working hard and be there in London in 2012.”
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For further details contact Lauren Sanderson, British Swimming Media Assistant, on 01509 632236 or email lauren.sanderson@swimming.org.
About British Swimming
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain. It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (ASA), Scotland (Scottish ASA) and Wales. (Welsh ASA) British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
About British Gas
British Gas is Britain's favourite domestic energy supplier. As well as providing gas and electricity, it also installs and maintains central heating and gas appliances in millions of homes throughout the country. British Gas is very proud to be the principal partner of British Swimming and home countries: The ASA, Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales. British Gas is supporting the team's quest for medals on the world and Olympic stage - and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to learn to swim and use swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. British Gas wants to ensure local pools remain at the heart of our communities. By using its expertise, it can help them reduce costs by being more energy efficient and safeguard the facilities for this and future generations. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming
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