JAZZ Carlin is looking to add to her already impressive medal haul at next month’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The Swindon swimmer earned her first Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 800m freestyle in Glasgow four years ago,where she also secured a silver medal in the 400m freestyle.
It added to silver and bronze medals won at the 2010 Delhi Games, and Carlin, who also won two silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will look to make it a magic five when taking to the outdoor pool on Australia’s eastern coast.
Carlin, who trains at the University of Bath and will compete for Wales in the 200m and 800m freestyle in Australia, said: “Most people have been thinking about the Winter Olympics and now we’re closing in on the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s been nice supporting the (Olympic) team in South Korea, but now I’m on the opposite side and have a job to do.
“It will be a great event. Australia is always special.’’ Despite being just 27, the former Tigersharks club swimmer will be competing in her fourth Commonwealth Games after bursting onto the scene in Melbourne 12 years ago as a teenager.
“The country holds fond memories for me as it was where I made my Commonwealth Games debut in 2006 (in Melbourne),’’ she added.
“It’s crazy to look back and realise I’ve done a ‘full circle’ if you like.”
Having spent recent months avoiding the cold weather in Britain, she is looking forward to spending time in – what she hopes – is a warmer climate.
“I struggle in the winter months,” said Carlin. “Waking up in the morning when it’s pitch black outside isn’t nice.
“It’s tough, and the snow and cold makes things difficult.
“But I’ve got a good block of training under my belt ahead of the competition.”
Carlin, whose schedule gets under way with the 200m heats next Thursday, was speaking at the celebration of the #SwimWithJazz project, backed by Yakult, which saw her help to teach a group of participants to swim in just four weeks, before jetting out to Australia to prepare for the Games.
One element she believes is in her favour is that the Commonwealth aquatics events take place in an outdoor pool.
Carlin has set her sights on competing in open water as well as pool events at the Tokyo Olympic Games in two years’ time and said: “I’ve done a lot of outdoors swimming, you never know what conditions you’re going to get.
“I do like swimming outdoors though. There’s no better feeling getting the fresh air and being in the water.
“Be it rain or sun, you have to be prepared for anything the weather can throw at you.
“We’ve completed a lot of training camps abroad, so I feel ready.”
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