Katherine Wyld says her fitness concerns are out of sight and out of mind as she gears up for a podium charge in Delhi.
The 24-year-old has seen her year dogged by injury problems, notably with her knee, which prevented her competing at the European Swimming Championships.
Despite admitting her frustration as she watched team-mates like Fran Halsall grab the glory in Budapest, Wyld is now fit and raring to go as part of England’s 4x100m freestyle team.
“It has been going well, the season has been a long one and pretty difficult because I have had some injuries but it is all coming together now which is what I want,” the Leatherhead Swimming Club member.
“It has been difficult with the injuries but it has been a long season so I have had a bit more time than I would usually have.
“I have seen that as more time for me to get better and be the best I can be and now, hopefully, I am ready to go.
“As I am doing the relay, I wouldn’t want to put myself in the position of letting someone down if I couldn’t swim.
“The Commonwealths are important when looking ahead to 2012, you don’t get to go to an event with all the other sports that often and that is going to be a pretty big thing. I have never done that before.
“It will give me an idea of what to expect at the Olympics.
“We are going to do our best and hopefully come away with a medal.”
And after an intensive training camp in Doha, Wyld is confident she can return to England with a medal to declare at customs.
She said: “To get everyone together makes us feel like a proper team and helps us gel.
“We have practiced relay changeovers to give us the best preparation for the games.
“It is a 100m freestyle swim and I am swimming as an individual within a team as I would at any meet for myself but maybe more so because we are part of a team.
“Although I am not competing as an individual, I would rather be here than not at all especially as this is a really big competition and to be here is amazing.”
* The nation’s leading energy supplier British Gas is the principal partner of British Swimming, and has pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels – from paddling pool to podium. Visit britishgas.co.uk/swimming
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