It was always seen as a stepping-stone towards London 2012. For Hannah Miley, a silver medal at the World Championships in Shanghai in July was a huge stride towards fulfilling her Olympic dream. 

“It is great to have another medal to show for all the hard work,” said the Scot, who added a silver in the 400m individual medley to her wins last year at the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games.  “It was a great progression, but there is still a lot more work to do.” 

Coached by her father, Patrick, the next big target is the Olympic trials in March. They will be staged at the new Olympic Pool in London and it is less than 150 days until the showdown. 

“We were in Shanghai when the Olympic Pool was opened so a trip has been organised in October,” said the 22-year-old. “I can’t wait to see it and it will be great to get a chance to test the water at the trials. It will make it extra special. 

“At the moment, I’m training really hard. I work on my conditioning in the gym and the aim is to get faster in the water. It’s great working with Dad. I trust him and we have a strategic plan for the 400m.  

“Some people assume that my butterfly is my weakest stroke because I’m usually behind after the first 100m. But I like to pace it carefully and come strong on the end part of the race.” 

This winter, Team Miley will be working away at the Garioch Pool in Inverurie and will also train fairly regularly at the 50m pool at Stirling University. Competitions will be carefully selected and won’t be so much about winning as making sure preparation is right for March. 

“I might go to the European short-course Championships or a meet in Eindhoven this winter, but it is all about being ready for the trials and then, hopefully, on to London. It is just ten months to go and the clock will tick down so quickly.” 

Sponsored by Kellogg’s and Xodus, Hannah combines her swimming with a degree in sports and exercise studies at Robert Gordon’s University in Aberdeen. “They are super and really help me out with managing my time,” she said.  

“I am also lucky to be working with Red Sky Management, based in Edinburgh.  My agent is Rowen Shepherd, and he is so helpful. Sometimes it is difficult to juggle all the commitments - sponsors, media requests, training schedule - so it is great to speak to Rowen, who can keep me right and let me concentrate on my main goal of making sure that I am ready to peak in the pool at the right time.” 

Of course, the ultimate goal is to peak at the Olympics. Hannah’s 400m medley is on July 28 – the day after the opening ceremony and the first full day of swimming. The timing raises mixed emotions. 

“It will be great to be one of the first going for a medal,” she said. “But there will be a lot of pressure and not much time to get used to the conditions.  

For Hannah, 2012 is really all about two days – the qualification at the Olympic trials in March and then 28/7. Everything is geared towards the perfect peak.

EB

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