JAZZ Carlin says that the prospect of performing on the biggest stage in the world is finally sinking in after flying to Brazil late last week.

Carlin joined the rest of the British swimming team on Friday as they flew to Belo Horizonte for their training camp ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

With just 11 days until the opening ceremony gets under way at the Maracanã Stadium, the 25-year-old from Swindon, who now lives in Bradford on Avon, has admitted it is all starting to feel like a reality.

Having missed out on a home Olympics four years ago through illness, the Tigersharks swimmer is determined to make the most of this opportunity and was waved off by her swimming club before leaving for Brazil.

“It has finally come around and there is so much to do but I can’t wait to get out there and to start racing,” Carlin told the Adver.

“It is starting to feel a bit more real because I have been getting ready to go, packed the kit up and things like that.

“That feeling when I walk into the Olympic village and I see the pool for the first time will be something that I will always remember.

“I can’t wait to get out there and start racing.”

In the build-up to the Games, Carlin has been making sure that she leaves no stone unturned when it comes to her preparation.

As well as extra training sessions and back-to-back swims when at competitions, the double European champion, who now trains at the University of Bath, has been using an altitude tent to sleep in.

Despite it causing a problem during the recent heatwave, Carlin believes it will all be worth it when she gets into the pool in two weeks’ time.

“I have been staying in the altitude tent and it is something I have been sleeping in for a while,” she added.

“With the hot weather, it has been a bit difficult to sleep in and I have had an industrial fan in it just to try and cool myself down a little bit.

“It is about trying to get through it and it is just one of those things you have got to do as a distance swimmer.

“Even those small changes can make a big difference and you want to make sure you have done absolutely everything.

“I can say I have done that and that is all I can give, really.”