大象传媒

Phew!

Thankfully, .

It only seems like yesterday that I was in my , now I'm preparing for another one!

Qualifying for an Olympic final is the culmination of much hard work so I'm obviously elated but, in all honesty, I'm more relieved as my 1500m form going into Beijing wasn't great.

To emulate my bronze medal winning performance of Athens 2004 would be one hell of achievement due to strength and depth of this event, emphasised by world champion Mateusz Sawrymowicz failing to qualify for Sunday's final.

To prove my point further, the 1500m Olympic record was lowered twice in the heats as Grant Hackett lost then immediately regained the championship best.

The Olympic swimming class of 2008 have so far dominated the headlines of the Beijing Games as continues his world record gold medal haul while more than 20 world records have been smashed in China.

The depth of competition have ensured the 1500m heats would be lightening quick but it's little surprise as the atmosphere inside Beijing's wonderful is simply inspirational.

From the outside, the space-age Water Cube is stunning but the atmosphere inside is like nothing you experience that often in swimming, the crowd is incredibly loud almost to the point of being deafening.

The steep stands go far back into the Gods, much like Barcelona's legendary Nou Camp, and that creates a unique atmosphere that has the ability to drag a swimmer through the pain barrier and to a quick time.

The Cube is almost as good as !

The crowd were amazing and hopefully I can step it up for the big-one on Sunday.
Now I must get plenty of rest, physio and a good massage before Sunday.

I consider myself a big-game player who always rises to the big occasions and hopefully that will continue.

My experience in Olympic, World and Commonwealth finals will be vital as I will be comfortable going into the final.

I won't be anxious and won't be not sure what to expect, I know the routine and I know hoe to be myself.

I want to carry on the good work of my team-mates in Beijing as the Team GB swimmers have excelled in these Olympics.

are the tip of British swimming's iceberg in Beijing as we've made huge strides towards the 2012 Olympics in London and beyond.

Our old tough taskmaster coach must take much credit as he shook up British swimming when it was going nowhere.

He created a professional attitude and ethos that transformed the team.

Now Bill has gone it is a much more relaxed environment but we haven't lost the winning mentality and work ethic of the Sweetenham years.

Wish me luck on Sunday!