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Disney-May targets London berth

James Disney-May is adamant adding an individual Olympic swim to his relay one in June is more than achievable, however he doesn’t know whether he’ll ever be able to find out.

Disney-May booked a ticket to his first-ever Olympic Games at the British Gas Championships in London in March after claiming an impressive silver in the 100m freestyle.

He lowered his personal best to 49.48seconds on route to second but, while it was good enough for a 4x100m relay place, he was comfortably shy of making it a double celebration.

Disney-May can still qualify individually though with British champion Simon Burnett also failing to hit the required time at the trials – meaning the two allocated Olympic places are still available.

That opportunity will come at June’s ASA Nationals in Sheffield but, with Disney-May based in America at Auburn University in Alabama, he is uncertain if he will be allowed to take it.

“I haven’t fully decided on the ASA Nationals and what I will be doing yet,” said Disney-May. “As of now I think I can get the qualifying times so I think I would like to come back.

“Whether that would conflict with my performance at the Games I’m not sure. I still have some talking to do with my coaches so we will discuss it and I’m sure we will come to a decision.

“I was reasonably happy with my performances at the British Gas Championships. The main aim going in was to qualify for the Olympics, which I am happy I managed to achieve.

“But I would have liked my time to have been faster. It was still a best time so I can’t complain and I think I have got a lot of improvements to make so it is an exciting period.

“There is still a while until the Games and there is a lot of work still to be done. I am really focused on that at the moment and focused on making sure I improve.”

Disney-May returned to the Olympic Aquatics Centre earlier this month for British Swimming’s annual national squad camp – joining the 37 other qualified swimmers in the capital.

He spent time in particular with those also selected for the 4x100m freestyle relay – fellow first-time Olympian Craig Gibbons and regular British faces Burnett and Adam Brown.

Disney-May isn’t exactly a stranger to the team having been an unused member at last year’s World Championships – but nonetheless he insists it was time well spent.

“Training in the Olympic pool was really good and hanging out with the team and bonding together was good fun,” he added.

“It was nice to have the whole team come together as a group. Some are new to the team and it is good to interact and get to know each other more.

“I am on a relay team so training around all the guys that I am going to be swimming with helped a lot and practicing exchanges and stuff is all a big help.”