Francesca Halsall marks 100m freestyle as the priority event for the 2012 London Olympic Games
The 2009 Rome World Championships silver medallist, Francesca Halsall, has claimed that she is preparing for the 100m freestyle, to represent her country at the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games.
Halsall, who has qualified for the 2011 Shanghai World Championships by dominating her event at the British Gas National Championships, said that she will be making a splash at the imminent world titles, as this would be her last world level event before
the Olympics.
Halsall has stepped 19-times on the international podium, during her participation at the World Short Course Championships, World Long Course Championships, European Long Course Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Halsall won the silver medal in the
100m freestyle at the 2009 Rome World Championships, while she conquered a gold medal in the 50m butterfly, three silver medals in the 50m freestyle, 4*100m freestyle and the 4*100m medley relay, along with a bronze in the 100m freestyle.
Halsall is currently preparing for Britain’s second selection trial, during June. While expressing her views about her favourite event, she said, “The 100m freestyle is my favourite event and I would definitely like to be in the mix for that in Shanghai.
And I think I need to be in the mix for that, going into London. I need to be in the mix this year to be able to be ready to go next year.”
Halsall added, “I have got to take it all and relax with it, rather than get too overexcited about it all. I know where I am in my training compared to where I have been last year, so I know in myself where I am at and how I should perform on the day.”
The 21-year-old Halsall admitted that her swims at the 2011 British Gas National Swimming Championships were not up to the mark, but she is determined that she will give her hundred percent at the upcoming British Nationals.
The British swimmer saw a few difficulties while earning her Shanghai qualification spot, but Halsall said that she is working very hard for the 100m freestyle sprint and will make her country proud by earning the 100m crown.
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