Hannah Miley wants to make a splash in Istanbul

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 23:11

HANNAH Miley is Great Britain's leading medal hope going into the 13th European Short-Course Swimming Championships, which begin today in Istanbul.

The 31-strong squad will look to continue the success the team has enjoyed throughout 2009 at the four-day event in the Turkish capital.

The team combines youth and experience with Miley, who reached both individual medley finals at the World Championships in Rome in the summer, one of the most prominent names. The Scot will also compete at 'Duel in the Pool' in Manchester the following weekend as she continues her customary busy programme.

The 20-year-old wants to improve on her efforts in Rijeka last year where she had two fourth and one 17th-place finishes.

Miley said: "I've just been trying to stay consistent in training. My coach and I have discussed some targets and there are certain things that I'm planning. I definitely want to swim better than last year – that's one of my main aims."

National performance director Michael Scott believes the event will play a different role for each swimmer. "My aim is to provide all 31 swimmers with competition opportunity," said Scott.

"Everyone has come here with their own personal goals for the meet, whether it be personal bests or just for experience, so it depends on where they are in their training as they work towards the 2010 season.

"With the newer athletes on the team my desire is for them to take full advantage and learn from the championships. It's going to be a fast meet and they will be racing against some of Europe's best short-course swimmers."

Meantime, five-time Olympian Mark Foster believes double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington can respond to her World Championship letdown as one of a group of British women he is tipping to succeed at London 2012.

The success of Adlington and Jo Jackson in Beijing continued this year with the women claiming six of the seven British medals in the pool at the worlds in Rome last summer, while Keri-anne Payne was crowned world 10kilometre open water champion.

It was left to Liam Tancock and 15-year-old diver Tom Daley to fly the flag for the men. But Rome was a mixed bag for Adlington, who was pleased by her third place in the 400metres freestyle but devastated to have finished outside the medals in the 800m.

Foster, though, believes the Nova Centurion swimmer was hindered by her decision to stick with her Speedo LZR rather than one of the supersuits which are to be outlawed at the end of the year.

"Becky is still only 20 years of age," he said. "She didn't have the best World Championships, but in her defence the girls she was racing against had the new suits and she didn't.

"I truly believe it would have made a difference to her."