THE ECSTASY... AND AGONY VAN AVERMAET SNATCHES OLYMPIC GOLD AS GERAINT’S HOPES END IN LATE CRASH:
JAZZ Carlin has had to be patient in her bid for an Olympic medal.
The Bath swimmer missed London 2012 following recurring tonsillitis and glandular fever.
Now the 800 metres freestyle Commonwealth Games champion and world medallist - behind peerless world record holder Katie Ledecky of the United States - is determined to claim a podium place in Rio after a successful intervening period.
“The last couple of years have been amazing,” Carlin said.
“It’s finally nice to build my confidence back up again after the heartbreak of missing out on the London Olympics.
“London was pretty tough to take. It’s not just any Olympics, it’s a home Olympics.
“I took a bit of time out, got back into the sport and I’m definitely not regretting that now that I’m in the team on the way to Rio.
“It’s nice to finally have those results, know that I can compete on a world stage and I can win world medals.
“It’s a really exciting time and I’m going to make sure I can do everything I can to get on that podium in Rio.”
Carlin, at 25, is mature for a swimmer making their Olympic debut.
Her Olympic campaign begins with the 400m freestyle on Sun- day’s second day of the Games.
She believes her experience will stand her in good stead.
She said: “I definitely feel ready to compete in Rio. Yes, there will be a few distractions here and there, but I’m there to race.
“It’s the same 50m pool, it’s the same water, it’s just me doing the same events. It’s about getting in and seeing what can happen.
“As long as I’ve done everything I can, I know I’m going to do my best and that’s all I can ask for.”
Carlin will be aiming for glory in the 400m freestyle today with her heat going this afternoon and the final in the early hour of Monday morning around 3pm.
She will be of three Welsh swimmers in action this afternoon with London 2012 semi-finalist and Commonwealth Games champion Georgia Davies and 20-year-old Olympics debutant Chloe Tutton starting their 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke.
Tutton swims at the City of Cardiff swimming club with Ieuan Lloyd who was also named as one of four Welsh aces in the 26-strong Team GB squad.
And it was another former member of that Cardiff swimming group who first inspired Chloe’s Olympic dream 12 years ago.
“My first Olympic memory was obviously a Welsh one,” said Tutton.
“I was in Ysgol Gymraeg Bodringallt watching Athens 2004 and David Davies, who was a fellow Cardiff swimmer, was on the television.
“I think he won a bronze in the 1,500m freestyle and I was just so proud.
“I remember a little five-year-old Chloe just screaming at the television cheering.
“From that moment I have always thought of the Olympics and it’s every swimmers dream to compete in the Games. It’s the ultimate goal. “Especially for me and this is something I have dreamed of my whole life.”
Now she is there, Tutton has set out her goals for Rio.
“I just want to do my best,” said Tutton who burst onto the international scene by breaking the British 200m breaststroke record at the Olympic Trials in April.
“I want to enjoy the experience. It’s my first Olympics and I have never been to Brazil and want to take it all in.
“It is important to be flexible and go with whatever. That’s what I work on every day.
“I would not remind if something just jumped out at me.
“As this experience has shown, life is full of surprises.
“I will just deal with it.”