Getting set for the games to start (From Penarth Times)

Getting set for the games to start

1:00pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in Sport

LOCAL swimming stars David Davies and Ieuan Lloyd this week joined up with the rest of the British swimming squad to prepare for the Olympics.

They started their final preparation camp on Monday, to get themselves ready for the much hyped competition at the Olympic Park Aquatics Centre.

With their new Team GB kit packed, both the former medal winner and the debutant from the City of Cardiff Swimming Club are set for their once-in-a-lifetime home Games. Athens and Beijing medallist Davies, a former St Cyres pupil, said: "I'm looking forward to going to the Games now, counting down the days with the last few weeks of preparation. All the hard work is done so it's about resting up, getting sharp and getting the Games under way.

"There's plenty of hype but I'm trying to concentrate on my performance.

"Training has been pretty similar and just using the same recipes that work. I'm lucky that I've had the experience of two before and I know the way it works now. The last few weeks is quite enjoyable because you bring the workload down, rest up a little and feel sharper in the water. It's about the fine tuning now really.

"Every Games is different and this is going to be that bit more special being at home, with the crowd being such a massive factor. Going in to the village and dealing with the pressure and distractions and knowing how to perform best under those circumstances will probably be my biggest advantage, having gone to the previous two Games.

"We've got quite an experienced team going to London but, along with younger swimmers like Ieuan, there will be a really good blend."

And speaking at the Cardiff International Pool, ex-Stanwell pupil Ieuan said: "In Sheffield (second trials) I was aiming for an individual spot in the 400 and 200 metres freestyle. I just missed out on the 400 in the last length but managed to secure my spot when I won the 200 in a new best time.

"I was really pleased because I wasn't fully rested for it. To get a personal best time so close to the Games, without being fully rested, is a really good sign.

"I'm hoping I can break David Davies' Welsh record because I'm only 0.3 seconds away from it now - and that's my aim time-wise.

"At the start of the year my aim was to get into the Olympics team," he added.

"As I'd already achieved that the pressure was off me for the second trials in Sheffield, but I really wanted to get an individual spot. I think it will really help me for the future.

"Training has been exactly the same. I put all my effort and so much hard work into qualifying and I hope the same hard work will keep me improving and I can put in some good performances in London.

"David has been telling me plenty of things about previous Olympicswhich has got me really excited for the Games.

"He's very experienced and went to the Games at 19, and I've just turned 19, so it's good to have someone like that alongside me and guide me through the ups and downs.

"David and I drove up to Loughborough to get our kit, do a bit of training and have some talks," added Ieuan. "It was good to meet up with the team again. "The fitting out was really exciting, seeing all the kit and getting to try it on for the first time. I just hope I can make my country proud.

"We go to London for a few days to check out the village and then to a training camp before coming back for the opening ceremony.

"I just want to get in and swim now against the rest of the world. But I don't just want to be someone who is young and enjoys the sport, I want to be there and be with the best. "It will just be nice to get there now.

"Time has gone really quickly and we've got a good group going and I can't wait!"