Smith vows to make a splash in absence of big names

From David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Istanbul

RISING star Amy Smith has vowed to take advantage of absent friends when she takes part in the European Short Course Championships in Istanbul this week.

DETERMINED: British swimmer Amy Smith has vowed to shine in the absence of the big names in Istanbul this week

While Smith and her team-mates head to the short course event in Turkey, double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and double world silver medallist Jo Jackson are in Manchester for the Duel in the Pool.

Smith underlined her growing potential this summer by making her World Championship debut in Rome - helping the 4x100-metre freestyle relay team to seventh place in the final.

But with some of British swimming's leading lights not in Istanbul, the Wyre Forest Swimming Club flyer insists it will be the perfect opportunity for her to play a starring role when the action gets underway on Thursday.

"Not all of the big names are going to be out in Istanbul so it is a good chance for me to be really challenging and trying to get into semi-finals and finals," said Smith, who is part of the 31-strong British Gas Swimming Team.

"A fair few of the British swimmers are going to be up in the Duel in the Pool rather than coming out to Turkey which means there is a chance for some of the others to really come to the fore and hopefully I can take that chance.

"I swam very close to my personal best at a World Cup meeting in Berlin not so long ago and that was without any proper tapering really.

"So I know when I taper properly for Turkey and really get my preparation right then I should be in really good shape to achieving a PB.

"In terms of a long-term plan, going to Istanbul is not as important as say the World Championships but at the same time every international meeting is crucial."

Smith will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle in Turkey and the 22-year-old has set her sights high in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

"The relay in the World Championships was an amazing experience to make the final and hopefully we can go and do the same thing in Turkey," added Smith.

"We won't know who is going to be in the team until we get there but hopefully I can be in it and we can keep making some positive steps forward."

 * British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: 'From paddling pool to podium'. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming