PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Watkin satisfied with pool efforts

By Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat

LOUISE Watkin admitted to feeling the effects of her gruelling schedule as her London 2012 campaign came to a close - but she insists it wasn't the reason why she didn't win a fifth Paralympic medal.

SATISFIED: Louise Watkin was pleased with her efforts in the pool at the Paralympics in London

Watkin took to the pool for the last time on Saturday in the 100m breaststroke having had little sleep following her exploits as part of the silver medal winning British 4x100m medley relay team the night before.

She would have expected to swim in both the morning and evening but failed to make it out of the heats with her time of 1:25.48minutes ranking her tenth overall with only the top eight qualifying.

That marked Watkin's eighth swim in less than four days but she wasn't about to complain, pointing out that she had to battle late nights and early mornings throughout the Games.

"It was tough and I felt the effects a bit from the relay the night before but I just wanted to get out there and give it all that I had and that is what I did," said Watkin.

"I went to bed quite late, I am not quite sure what time to be honest, but it has been the same pretty much every day.

"I have been getting back quite late, I was racing for four days straight and the 100m breaststroke was on the fourth day of it.

"I knew going into this competition that the four days at the back would be quite a tough challenge for me.

"I think I approached them the best I possibly could and unfortunately it just wasn't there in the 100m breaststroke."

Despite missing the final of the 100m breaststroke, Watkin has enjoyed a successful Games winning 4x100m freestyle relay and 200m medley bronze and 50m freestyle and 4x100m medley silver.

That bettered her medal haul from Beijing 2008, where she won silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze medals in the 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m medley, and that spoke volumes for Watkin.

"I was really pleased with the relay and I wanted to bring home a medal for that team and that is what I did so I am really pleased with how that went," she added.

"I went to Beijing and won one silver and three bronzes and I have come away from London with two silver and two bronze.

"I can't ask for any more than that. I will have a bit of a break now and then get back into it slowly."

© Sportsbeat 2012