Liam Tancock admits thoughts of Rio will never be far away from his mind as he bids to return to the world stage with a bang.
After missing out on the 2013 World Championships, Tancock is ready to once again perform on the global stage as he heads to Kazan, Russia.
The call up came after the 30-year-old finished runner-up in the 50m and 100m backstroke at April’s British Championships.
For Tancock it will be his fifth World Championships after making his debut a decade ago in 2005.
“I have always said that the long game is Rio and that is my main focus, so while I will be going to Russia obviously looking to do the best I can I know 2016 is just around the corner,” said Tancock, who won two bronze medals at last year’s Commonwealth Games.
“No one likes getting injured and when I did in 2013 it was tough and it took me some time to get back. But it also made me stronger and more determined.
“Going to the Commonwealth Games a year after my injury was great, and then to win a couple of medals was better than I could have imagined really.”
Tancock has enjoyed a long career in swimming but is still hungry for improvement and success.
“I started swimming when I was five and began competing when I was eight so I have been doing this for 22 years now which is a longer time than most of the British team have been alive.”
As for the challenge of the younger athletes Tancock is more than happy to be pushed all the way on the road to Rio.
“Anything that pushes the sport on is fine by me, not only in the world but also in British Swimming so it is great to have the likes of Chris Walker-Hebborn around,” he added.
“We bring the best out of each other and hopefully we can do the same at the World Championships.”