Miley eyes gold rush

Eurosport - Wed, 28 Oct 16:29:00 2009

Hannah Miley is aiming to break her international duck in spectacular fashion next year by medalling at both the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

SWIMMING Great Britain's Hannah Miley celebrates her victory in the women's 400IM at the British Championships - 0

The 20-year-old struck treble gold at the British Championships in March - dominating the 200m and 400m medley, the 200m breaststroke and claiming silver in the 200m butterfly.

But the former European record holder over 200m and 400m has so far failed to carry her national success into the global arena.

And after finishing out of the medals again at this summer's World Championships, coming fourth and sixth in the 400m and 200m IM's respectively, Miley is aiming to end her drought with a place on the podium in both Budapest and Delhi in 2010.

"I would love to do both the Commonwealth Games and the Europeans and it would be great to medal in both - that's my target," said Miley, speaking ahead of the 1000 days to go anniversary on October 31.

"It would be great to get an individual medal having come close several times before.

"It would be a huge notch in my belt to medal at both and that's got to be the aim.

"The Europeans will be more competitive and, while the Australians won't be there, the French, Hungarians and Italians will be, so competition will be much more fierce."

Miley made her Olympic debut in Beijing last year, finishing sixth in the 400m medley, 11th in the 200m medley and ninth in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

And Scotland's highest-ranked Commonwealth swimmer admits she is already dreaming of the atmosphere inside the Aquatics Centre come 2012.

"After this year there's only two years to go until London and it's quite scary because it's a home Olympics," added Miley.

"When I have been anywhere before the support is always amazing for the home swimmers and they get a standing ovation when they're standing on the blocks - it must be huge for your confidence and it's going to be fantastic.

"It's hard to plan for it at the moment but there's plenty I can do in the meantime to make sure I get it right on the day.

"It was great to be part of the relay team at the World Championships and I'd love to be involved in it again in London.

"Relays are a huge boost and it can be really good for morale in the team.

"When you get in the pool you're not just swimming for yourself but for the other girls who are standing on the poolside cheering you on."

More than the Games / Eurosport

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