O'Connor returns from Down Under refreshed for Olympic trials

Posted: Tuesday 14th February 2012 | 11:12

YOU are only as good as the company you keep - and if this is true then Siobhan-Marie O'Connor is well on her way to marking her meteoric rise by making a splash at this summer's Olympics.

WELCOME BACK: Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, left, pictured at the Swimtastic Awards, has recently returned from Australia

While most 16-year-olds have been battling dreary mornings and trying to adjust to life back at school since the turn of the New Year, O'Connor well and truly bucked the trend.

She swapped Somerset for Australia to train hard ahead of the upcoming British Gas Swimming Championships, taking place at the London 2012 Aquatics Centre, and has only just returned.

Up for grabs in less than three weeks time are the first places for the British team with O'Connor looking good for one having made her senior bow at last year's World Championships, finishing 13th in the 200m medley.

And having rubbed shoulders with the likes of Commonwealth silver medallist Michael Jamieson and European bronze medallist Kris Gilchrist Down Under, O'Connor believes she is being given all the tools to book a return to the capital this summer.

"I am so glad that I got the opportunity to go to Australia for a really good block of winter training and I feel really good for it," said O'Connor, who won three golds and a silver before her world bow at last year's European Junior Championships.

"It was just nice to get away from the cold weather and all the illnesses that go around and nice to just be able to concentrate on what you need to do in the pool.

"And it was really nice to be out with some of the senior guys like Kris, Michael and Jess Dickons as you pick up hints and tips and they give you lots of good advice.

"The trip really refreshed me and I am now ready to come back with my head down, in really good shape ready for the British trials in March.

"The trials are what I am aiming for and I really think that being in such an environment in Australia has really helped me and I am better prepared than ever to book an Olympic place at the trials."

Hannah Miley appears well set for one of the two spots available in both the 400m medley, an event she won silver in at the World Championships last year, and the 200m equivalent.

O'Connor had to wait until the second trial event to book a trip to Shanghai for last year's World Championships and join Miley but is determined to wrap things up first time around next month.

"Although I am young I think I have as good a chance as any as last year gave me a lot of confidence but the pressure is off me a little bit," she added.

"Everyone is trying their hardest to make the team and I am no different and I will be doing all I can to make sure I am in the top two when it really matters."

To celebrate 15 years of support for British Swimming, Kellogg's is offering a ‘Free Kids Swim' on 30 million packs of cereal to encourage families to take the plunge together. Collect a voucher on pack and take it down to your local participating pool. For more information, please visit www.kelloggs.co.uk/freeswim