With Saturday 31 October 2009 marking 1,000 days to go until London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games, the stars of British aquatics are counting down the days until they compete in front of their home crowd in what is likely to be the biggest competition of their lives.
Preparations are already well under way in Stratford as the Olympic venues are being built, but the athletes’ work in the pool has been years in the making as they all aim to compete on the Olympic stage come 2012.
After returning from their most successful World Championships ever, the British Gas Swimming squad will be looking to improve further upon their performances as they get closer to the Olympic Games. In Beijing, the team secured six medals in the pool and open water and they will be looking to continue their success through the next three years.
Cassie Patten, Olympic bronze medallist in open water, is looking forward to experiencing the support of the home crowd in London. The Stockport-based swimmer went to Beijing as a first time Olympian and took away a wealth of experience that she will use in 2012.
“It’s very exciting to know that the Olympics is going to be in London,” Patten said.
“When we were out in Beijing the support was amazing, and that was half way around the world. So to think of the support we will be getting at home is incredible.
“Having a home crowd will definitely give me the extra push. In Beijing only my mum, dad and sister could come out to support me and a lot of other swimmers’ families couldn’t afford it, so I think that the support of our families and all of the fans should be brilliant.”