Swimming supremo backs Spofforth to shine

TEAM GB swimming boss Michael Scott is backing Portsmouth youngster Gemma Spofforth to sparkle in Beijing and confirm her status as a world class performer. 

The 20-year-old Florida-based swimmer, who will compete in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, missed most of the 2006 season with pancreatitis.

But after impressing at the National Championships in Sheffield in March, the Portsmouth Northsea ace intends to make waves in the Far East later this month.

Spofforth, who is majoring in psychology at the University of Florida, might have been a surprise selection to some.

But after a great junior career, which saw her win gold at the European Junior Championships in 2003, Spofforth burst back onto the international scene after a couple of difficult years to break the British record and make the Olympic team.

"The holding camp has achieved all of our goals in terms of acclimatising, team building and in providing a professional and enjoyable environment," said Scott. "It's definitely achieved its aims of preparation to perform in Beijing.

"The first thing for Gemma now is to adjust to new surroundings in Beijing, the village and the pool while maintaining preparation and focus to achieve what we said from day one - to maximise performance improvements from the trials to the Games.

"The team and Gemma's goals have always been to move forward from the trials in March to the Games in August."

Spofforth refused to make any bold predictions ahead of her debut Olympic bow - instead reiterating her desire to just keep improving under the Beijing spotlight.

"I'm excited to go and have a lot of fun and just enjoy the experience," said Spofforth. "I would love to make the final in the 100m back but I can't make any wild predictions about what I can or can't do.

"I was extremely happy and relieved to just be selected; I couldn't tell you exactly how I felt because it is such a whirl wind of emotions."

MATTHEW DAVIS in Beijing