Favourite event: 50m Freestyle, it’s the Blue Riband event in the pool. Just like the 100m in athletics.
Finest ever performance/Why: Breaking my first world record back in 1993 in the 50m Freestyle in a 25m pool (short course). I have broken a world record 8 times in total.
First international meet: 1985 European Junior Championships
Role models: Didn’t really have any whilst growing up, but Adrian Moorhouse and Steve Redgrave.
My aspirations are: The first part is done I’ve qualified for my 5th Olympics. I want to be happy and successful in whatever I try to do.
Tip for the top: Enjoy it.
Life after swimming: I will always swim to keep fit. I am very competitive so will take that into whatever I chose. One thing I will do though is get my golf handicap down to single figure.
Music: I listen to garage music before racing. Away from the pool I’m a huge fan of 80’s music like Mica Paris and Imagination.
If I wasn’t a swimmer I would be a: Be a sportsperson in something else. I was very good at tennis when I was a younger, and also football and athletics. I had to give those up to focus on swimming. I could of gone down a different route and focused on one of those sports. When I was a kid I wanted to be an airline pilot.
Football, Cricket or Rugby: Football. Good friends with England goalkeeper David James, and I know quite a few players at Chelsea, who I support. Although, I know quite a lot of rugby and cricket players too!
Describe yourself in three words: Laidback, relaxed, a laugh
Would most like to meet: Someone who I could learn something from, like Tiger Woods.
Most prized possession: My nephew and my two bulldogs.
Biggest influence on career: Mum
LAST UPDATED 25th June 2008
