With Olympics in two years, C'Wealth Games will be important: Liam Tancock

This camp in Doha was a much needed one. It’s always important to fine-tune things till the last and the fantastic facilities in Doha made it worthwhile. I was in Melbourne in 2006 and it was a great experience. I feel I’m a lot stronger and experienced swimmer from that time.

I have got a lot more knowledge of this sport and can perform to a higher level this time round.

I’m always looking to improve on my timing. It’s not just about the world record but more importantly, I want to give my best. A lot of things have changed this year with regards to rules and stuffs but that has not bothered me at all. All I want is to race fast against some of the fastest swimmers of the world.

The negatives that are coming in the media about the Delhi Commonwealth Games has not bothered me at all. It will not play on my mind when I am there. Delhi is a place that I have never seen. It is one of the places that I always wanted to visit. To get that opportunity in itself is something that I would have jumped for without a thought.

For me personally, as long as there is water in the pool I am happy. Commonwealth Games comes once in four years and to compete in it is so special. Other things are secondary; the atmosphere there in itself would be enough to spur you on.

When you have some of the best guys in the world to compete with, there is always going to be some pressure. There are some good swimmers from Australia, South Africa but you have to understand that I live for it and I train for it. These pressures are the challenges we look forward to as swimmers.

This Delhi Games is the benchmark even for 2010 then I have just one more major event in 2011 before the Olympics back home. And so, from now on, everything that we do is keeping in mind London 2012 as it is not that far away.

I have not set any medals target and all I’m aiming is to do well in the 50 and 100 metres backstroke. If the medals come, it will be a big plus. Hopefully, I will also take part in medley relay but that I would decide there. Hopefully, it will be 4x100 freestyle relay.

These days no one has got an advantage. The swimsuits are so similar after the governing body made strict rules. And despite that, most swimmers are coming closer and closer to breaking the records, which were set with all those earlier advantages. Now, it is certain that the best and fastest swimmer out in the pool would win.
—As told to ND Prashant