A home advantage for Milne at Glasgow 2018 Perth swimmer ready for European Championships
Stephen Milne will look to use the crowd to his advantage at the upcoming European Championships.
The Perth swimmer has been finetuning his stroke ahead of splashing into the waters of Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Milne is competing in the 400m freestyle - potentially the relay too and has a strong determination to put on a show for the home crowd.
He begins heats on August 3 and believes British athletes will be given a lift by the loud and passionate audience.
“I don’t think I’ve thought about it too much yet but I realise as it gets closer how much of a benefit the home crowd will be,” Milne said.
“I keep hearing of more and more people I know who are coming to watch the Europeans.
“Knowing that they will be supporting me - as well as the rest of the team - is a nice feeling to have.
“I’m really looking forward to watching a British swimmer come out and then hear the crowd go wild for them. It will be a big boost for us.
“If someone shouts my name, I can recognise the voice and know who it is.
“But when you’re behind the blocks, coming through from the call room, you are in your own zone.
“Although you can hear the crowd and appreciate it, you are focused on the job in hand. Once it’s over you can smile over and wave.
“I’ll be doing the 400m freestyle which is on day one and it’s the only individual event I have.
“In terms of the relay, we have great depth at the moment in British
Stephen Milne was at the Sette Colli meet ahead of the Europeans Swimming. It’ll be about who is in the Milne and coach Ann Dickson best shape. dissected his Commonwealth Games
“If I put a good performance in with performance from earlier this year in the 400m free, then I may get chosen for a bid to improve further. the relay. But I’ll do whatever is asked “Since the Gold Coast we’ve been of me.” looking at the good bits and what we could take from it,” Milne explained to the PA.
“I learnt a lot from my performances at the Gold Coast and there has been a real emphasis in training towards what will help me at the Europeans.
“Technique is most of it. I think I’m physically in good shape but it’s about executing the race decisively.
“And also making sure that the race as a whole is executed well enough to put in my best performance.
“I went to the Sette Colli meet in Rome, a big international competition where I got some good race experience.
“I was also at the Glasgow International and I was happy with the performance there too.
“Those two competitions tie into what I’ve been working on gearing towards the Europeans.”
The Europeans will bring Milne’s season to a close but there is plenty to look forward to.
He said: “Once the Europeans is over that will be the end of the 2017/18 season and I’ll have two or three weeks holiday with no swimming.
“I’m looking forward to that but I’m looking forward to the Europeans more.
“I love the big competitions, especially the international ones.
“Once you’ve made the team, there is no pressure. You go, do your best and enjoy your moment.
“As usual I will sit with my coach and make sure we review the year, say what was good and what can be improved.
“That will help as we look towards the Olympics in 2020 and there is also the World Championships next year.
“There will be trials for both of them, I’ve not made the team for either, so that will be the goal for next season.”