Favourite event: 100m Butterfly. I rarely swim it so I enjoy it when I do. There is no pressure.
Finest ever performance/why: 100m Freestyle Final Olympic Trials 2008. I qualified 8th fastest so only just made it into the final and then I got moved into lane 1 following a withdrawal. I knew the top four would make the relay team and that was my aim. I was down in 7th place at the turn, I dug deep and fought my way back to finish 4th and qualify for Beijing.
First senior international meet: European Championships in 2006. I swam in the heats of the 4x100m Medley Relay.
Role models: No one really. I can learn from everyone.
My aspirations are: Now I’ve achieved my Olympic place, I will work hard until the Olympics. I want to get myself a key role on the relay team in China, so I will train hard to improve my times. After Beijing I will go back to University and look to qualify for the World Championships in Rome next summer (2009).
Tip for the top: You never know what you are capable of until you truly believe in yourself.
Life after swimming: I will study medicine and look to become a doctor, so it’s another four years of study for me.
Music: Literally anything. I have about 3000 tracks currently on my ipod.
If I wasn’t a swimmer I would be a: I played football while at school and played for my county. I chose swimming in the end.
Football, Cricket or Rugby: I am a Liverpool fan, so football. I try to get to Sunday matches when I can but I am always training on Saturdays so miss those games.
Describe yourself in three words: Competitive / Sarcastic / Happy
Would most like to meet: Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, they are amazing.
Most prized possession: My national and age group medals mean a lot to me.
Biggest influence on career: My parents, current coach Bill Furniss who I’ve been with for four years, former coach Arnold Faulkner who coached me for seven years, and my boyfriend Jamie.
LAST UPDATED 16th June 2008
