Only the best athletes get to compete in the most prestigious worldwide sporting celebration in the world, the Olympics. Out of the 31 elite swimmers who took part in the 2008 Beijing games this year, one was more local than you might think. Jessica Daly interviews professional swimmer, James Kirton about what it takes to get to the top…

James competes for one of Sheffield’s official swimming squads and trains at our very own Ponds Forge, considered one of the finest facilities in the world. This Barnsley born swimmer has a hectic schedule, so when he agreed to do an interview with Cube, I was delighted to grab it. Having just got out of the pool from one of his ten a week two hour training sessions, he told me his thoughts and feelings about what he loves most, competing. And the biggest competition of his life, the Olympics.

How did you become interested in swimming and what made you stick with it and take it further?
When I was young, we went away on holiday and me being me jumped in the swimming pool and nearly drowned. So my mum and dad told me that I needed to start learning to swim and it just went on from there really…I got into it and my swimming teacher asked me to join a swimming club.

What was the whole Olympic Games experience like?
The Olympics were amazing, the feeling of being there representing my country at the most prestige competition in the world, I’ll never beat. It’s what I used to dream about as a kid and not many people’s dreams come true!

What place did you come and how did you feel about your performance at the Games?
To be honest I really don’t know what place I came, with all my problems going into the games (James had a double sportsman’s hernia earlier this year), it wasn’t about getting a position for me, it was about being there and learning how I can win in 4 years time!
How do you deal with disappointment at your level?

It’s one of the hardest things in elite sport. No one can compete as much as we do and swim well every time, so all we can do is to analyse our performances and take as much of the positives from it and learn as much from the things that went wrong as we can.

How important is support from others?
Support is such a big thing, if it wasn’t for my girlfriend, family and coach, I honestly wouldn’t be were I am today. It’s a tough life so every now and then you need some one to pick you up or give you a kick up the backside!

What do you feel about Team GB’s successes at the 2008 Olympics, especially on the swimming side?
This was the best results Team GB have ever had in both swimming and as a whole, so to be apart of that is such a proud moment.

How did your competing in the Olympics come about?
I just climbed up the ladder slowly, qualifying for international meets and then in April this year we had the Olympic trials. I managed to get the qualifying time and come second, which enabled me to go. I’ve always been driven to succeed and do well in sport but never actually believed I could go to the Olympics until the last few years.

How would you qualify for the Olympics?
To qualify for the Olympics you have to go 2 minutes 13.6 seconds (for 200m breastroke,) which is the 16th fastest time in the world and I went 2 minutes 12 seconds so I got the qualifying time quite easy. Only the top two were able to go.

Do you feel more nervous about being filmed while competing and what are your biggest worries?
No, I don’t really get nervous at all about being filmed. You can’t really concentrate on things like that. There aren’t any worries when you get to the stage where you’re racing, you just get in and do it, you’ve done all the hard work.

When you’re in full training what does a typical day involve?
Up at 4.30 to go to morning training. We spend 2 to 2½ hours in the pool in the morning and then I go home grab some breakfast and head back to the English Institute of Sport where I do my weights and have physio treatment. Then home again some rest, food, back in the pool, 4 whilst 6 and then out to do a bit of core, body work and exercise, then home, bed!

Do you follow a specific diet and regime, and if so what?
I try and stick to a healthy diet, obviously I can’t eat McDonalds or chocolate as much as I’d like to.

Why is swimming such a good exercise?
It’s just real aerobic stuff. It’s non weight bearing, so it’s really safe for everyone to do and it works out every muscle in the body, the only sport that does.

When you are in the middle of a very challenging set what state of mind do you need?
What goes through my head, probably, “ohh…I’m dying!” No like I said, I’m really driven so what’s going through my head is thinking why I’m doing it, just to be really tough and really concentrate on what I’m doing. You need a lot of strength and you’ve got to be driven and really want it.

Describe your progression through the levels of swimming.
When I was ten I got a silver medal at the Yorkshire championships for 50m breatsroke and then I didn’t win anything until I was fifteen when I got my first National time. At sixteen I got National times and made National Finals, seventeen the same. When I was eighteen, I got three bronze medals at the Nationals and then at twenty one I became senior British Champion.

Is there anything you’ve found tough in terms of training or competing?
The toughest thing when you’re training at an elite level like we do is probably staying injury free, because you push your body to such high limits. You get a lot of little niggles which then can turn into big niggles, which I’ve had a few of so that’s probably the worst thing.

Any advice or tips for young swimmers out there, who want to take it a step further?
Keep at it, nothing happens overnight, it’s a long hall but if you really want it, then you can do it! Most importantly enjoy yourself!

What do you have planned next and are you aiming for 2012?
Next year is going to be a real important one for me, as I’m going to have to spend it rehabilitating from my recent operations. But after that hopefully I will make the commonwealth team, swim well there and go on to win in London 2012!

Good luck James!
By Jessica Daly