Talent pool awaits Jessica

Jessica Lloyd: the teenager will be put through her paces in London next month.

Swimming:

JUBILANT Jessica Lloyd will join her Olympic team-mates at a week-long training camp in London next month.

The 16-year-old Oldham swimmer successfully navigated her way into Great Britain’s 100-metre freestyle relay side for London 2012 after a superb showing at the British Championships.

And there is no chance of the former Saddleworth Swimming Club member resting on her laurels, with seven days of intense training in the Olympic Pool awaiting her in early April.

Mum Ann said: “Jessica and the rest of us are still so happy and proud as we wait for her Olympic qualification success to sink in.

“In many ways it is business as usual as she has already been back to training at City of Manchester and returned to college this week.

“But the next step for her is the training camp, which we are told is going to take place in early-April at the Olympic Pool. It should be a brilliant experience.”

Lloyd could also be in line for an appearance at the European Senior Championships in Hungary in May, although that is still up in the air.

Ann explained: “I am sure it has its merits, but we are holding fire on the Euros until Jessica’s coach, Mark Rose, has made a decision.

“He has to think about what is in her best interests. The Olympics has to take priority from here on in, it is everyone’s main focus so it is a case of ‘watch this space’ with the Euros.”

Meanwhile, Lloyd’s family have already received advice from Team GB officials on how to deal with the pressure of having an Olympian in their midst.

Ann continued: “We have been made aware of the fact that there is going to be much more attention on Jessica now she has qualified for the Olympics in her home country.

“Jessica is relatively calm about it all but the fact remains, the higher up the ladder you get, the harder it gets because all eyes are on you.

“We know there will be issues like dealing with the media and looking out for Jessica in every way, and the advice has been useful.

“Obviously she is not one of the individuals at the forefront of people’s minds, but she is an essential part of the relay team.”