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'It's never about winning, it's about the racing'
ESPN staff
September 24, 2010
Liam Tancock insists he puts no pressure on himself ahead of a race
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Amid the chaos in Delhi - bridges collapsing, ceilings caving in, filthy accommodation; one man remains fully focused on the task in hand.
Despite fears of a widespread boycott over safety and concerns over the state of the athletes' village, Liam Tancock heads to India to defend his Commonwealth 100m backstroke title.
Four years ago Tancock was a relative unknown, but the world 50m backstroke world record holder now enjoys a high profile as one of the main stars of British swimming. But far from feeling the added pressure, he will still dive off the starting block with the same attitude he had as a youngster.
"I don't feel any pressure whatsoever," Tancock told ESPN. "I don't really go to competitions with any medal expectations. I'm going to Delhi to compete and to race as fast as I can and we'll see what happens. I've had a really great season so far and I'm really looking forward to finishing the season on a high."
Surely with a gold and two silver medals from Melbourne four years ago, three gold medals would not be an unrealistic target?
"I never have medal targets," Tancock insists. "Some people do, but I always go into a race to enjoy it and that works for me. For me it's never about winning, it's about the racing and how I feel I have done. If I am happy with the way I swam but I came tenth that doesn't matter to me. If I win a medal, for me that is a bonus.
"That is just the way I approach competitions. It's the way I've always done it and it seems to work alright for me. I don't see the point on putting too much pressure on myself for no real reason - I just try to enjoy every race."
The timing of the Games has led many athletes to forgo the Commonwealths - big names such as Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Jenny Meadows choosing to focus on the European Athletics Championships in the summer. But while the swimmers also had their European Championships in August, the Delhi Games were always the main focus for British Swimming.
By this time of the year, the season would normally be over, Tancock would have enjoyed a two-week break from swimming and would be back in the pool training for next year. But despite a long, gruelling season, Tancock is still feeling fresh and raring to go.
"It has been a very long season and it's something that we are not used to, but everyone has dealt with it really well," he said." I thought it was going to really drag but it has come around really quickly. Usually competition would have finished by the end of August and we'd already be back in the pool training for the following season but with the Commonwealths in October the season has been extended a couple of months."
With their training geared towards the Commonwealths, the British swimmers were not in optimum condition to race in Budapest, but nevertheless came away with a record 18 medals. And Tancock, who only qualified for the 100m backstroke final by virtue of a withdrawal, took his chance superbly to snatch a bronze before claiming a silver in the 50m event.
Tancock is the reigning 50m backstroke world record holder
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"I didn't really know how to deal with the Europeans," Tancock admitted. "I was always going to race hard but didn't really expect to win any medals. It kind of turned out to be better preparation then I thought I was going to get, and I swam fast times for the stage I was at. It was a great week and I'll take a lot from it and hopefully build on that in Delhi."
Normally accustomed to competing for Great Britain, Tancock and his English counterparts will be faced with the prospect of competing against his friends and British team-mates in the pool in Delhi. But he is relishing the chance to step back into the limelight, at an event only second to the Olympics - even if that means being on the opposite team to his girlfriend, Scotland's Caitlin McClatchey.
"It's something special to race for Team England - it's something that only happens every four years and it's nice to be a part of that," he said. "It's the second biggest sporting event behind the Olympics and for a lot of our squad it will be the first time they have experienced something like this.It's a great stepping stone for London 2012 and for me I love the big events - I have been to Melbourne and Beijing and I can't wait to race in Delhi.
"I will still be supporting the Scottish and the Welsh swimmers - and when we look at the medals we will count theirs too because ultimately they will be competing for Britain at the Olympics. And I will definitely be supporting Caitlin and I hope she will cheer for me too."
Liam Tancock and his coach Ben Titley are Speedo sponsored. For more go to speedo.co.uk.
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