Swimming champ off to London in Olympic quest

SWIMMING

World 100m freestyle champion James Magnussen is plotting a reconnaissance mission to London as part of his plans to leave no stone unturned in his quest for Olympic gold.

The 20-year-old, a hot favourite to become Australia’s first gold medallist in the event since Michael Wenden in 1968, is expected to have no problems booking his spot on the team at next month’s Olympic trials in Adelaide.

Magnussen revealed yesterday that he and coach Brant Best were set to board a plane to the United Kingdom soon after the trials to ramp up preparations for the biggest meet of his career.

‘‘I think it’s really important, just to be able to get to London, to be familiar with the surroundings,’’ Magnussen said.

‘‘Not to have any surprises or to know, for example, of a morning that I’ve got to walk 2km from the breakfast hall to my unit or it’s going to be a 20-minute bus ride to the pool.

‘‘Just have all those logistics worked out, to be able to pre-plan for those things, is a massive advantage.

‘‘To have a look at the pool and get that image in my head so I can go to bed each night and dream about the pool and the setup.’’

Magnussen admits he is finding it a challenge not to get ahead of himself as he dreams about what is possible in London.