We caught up with 50m backstroke world champion and world record holder Liam Tancock before the England team flew to their preparation camp in Doha. The 25-year old from Exeter won gold (100m back) and two silvers (50m back and 4x100m medley relay) at the last Commonwealths in Melbourne. Does he think he can do better this time? Read on to find out.
Q: What were your expectations going into August’s European Championships?
A: The Europeans was a really cool event in the end and pretty exciting but I didn’t really have any expectations going out there.
I didn’t mind that I wasn’t tapered – it affects some people but I really didn’t mind. I knew I was fully prepared and I knew if I didn’t swim well, if I didn’t set times, if I didn’t make finals, there would be a reason behind it.
Q: So coming away with two medals must have been a nice platform for the Commonwealth Games?
A: Yeah, I ended up swimming some of the best times ever for that point in my training so that was great. To pick up a couple of medals as well was a bonus.
But the medals don’t really change anything for me. My focus all season has been on the benchmark meet which is Delhi – the medals were just a welcome bonus.
It will give me a psychological advantage though next time I race against those guys. In Budapest, everyone could see I still had hairy arms and they would have thought ‘if he can beat me with hairy arms, imagine what he can do when he’s fully ready’.
Q: How do you feel about the emergence of France’s Camille Lacourt (won 50m and 100m backstroke titles in Budapest) in your events?
A: Camille definitely had a breakthrough meet and I know it took some of the media by surprise. But he’s been there or thereabouts for a number of years.
He did some world class times and got close to my world record in the 50m but it didn’t surprise me. I knew he was going to swim fast – no one knew exactly how fast. But it’s nice to have him up there – it gives me another thing to focus on and someone to chase.
Q: How important is the Commonwealth Games in the swimming calendar?
A: It’s the second biggest multi-sport Games after the Olympics so it’s a really big deal. There’ll be loads of competitors there and you’re in a village situation. All these things you need to deal with as part of a swimmer and will help towards competing at London 2012.
If you can get good at keeping your focus in this kind of environment, it’s a bonus and you’re one step ahead of the game.
Q: How do you think this Commonwealth Games will compare to the last one in Melbourne where you won three medals?
A: Melbourne was great and a big meet for me. There’s going to be similar things in Delhi – it’s a great event that happens once every four years and you get to represent England so I’ll be competing against some of my usual teammates which is cool.
It’s going to have its differences though. I think it’s very different each times. The Aussies love their sport and swimming is one of their main focuses so the atmosphere will be very different in Delhi compared to Melbourne.
It’s not something that will disrupt me though – I’m just going to go out and enjoy it.
Liam will be blogging from Delhi throughout the Games - check back to our blogs section for updates.
You can also follow Liam on his personal Twitter feed or Facebook page.
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