Tender years no barrier for Lloyd

TEEN SENSATION: Jessica Lloyd (17) will compete in the Olympics this summer

OLYMPICS SWIMMING:

SADDLEWORTH’S Jessica Lloyd is intent on proving that age will be no barrier at this summer’s Olympics, admitting she’s been getting no favours from her senior British team-mates — and that’s just the way she likes it.

The 17-year-old is the youngest of the 38 British swimmers to have qualified for London 2012 so far, having booked a 4x100m freestyle relay spot at the British Gas Championships at the Olympic Aquatics Centre last month.

Lloyd finished fourth in the 100m freestyle final in a time of 55.28seconds to secure her maiden Olympic berth and has since been honing her skills with the 37 other Brits at an annual training camp at the London 2012 pool.

And, while the former Saddleworth School pupil is the baby of the team, she revealed she has not been treated as such.

“We were in London finalising things at a training camp and getting some relay practice in and it was really beneficial,” said Lloyd.

“At the British Gas Championships I didn’t actually know that I was capable of making this team — there were hints that I had the potential but when I finished and looked at the scoreboard it was a massive shock.

“I’m really happy with my performances and I got some personal bests so the week went very well.

“I know that I am the youngest on the team but I haven’t been treated any differently to anyone else, which is nice.

“It’s not like when I get out there people will be saying, ‘she’s only 17, just let her have a go,’ so I’m glad that the British coaches are making me step up to the mark.”

Having only recently made the step up from junior level, Lloyd will be making her major senior championship debut on the biggest stage of them all.

And she admits the chance to compete at a home Olympics at such a young age can only bode well for the future.

“I’m going to be smashing the training between now and the Games. I’ll rest up just before my first race which will be on the first day,” she added.

“When I got back home people had stuck British flags all over my house. I haven’t found out who did it yet but it was amazing.

“It will be my first Olympics and with it being at home most fans will be British and cheering me on. It will be fantastic.

“There will be some amazing swimmers there and to race against them and in the same pool will be a great experience for me.”

British Gas supports British Swimming at all levels and is getting the nation to show its support for Britain’s swimmers. Visit www.facebook.com/BGSwimming