DOUBLE Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington is convinced Glasgow swimmer Michael Jamieson is on the verge of rediscovering his London 2012 medal-winning form ahead of a busy 2016.
Jamieson, who claimed silver at the London Olympic Games, has struggled to repeat his high since; injury problems, a heart scare and finishing second to countryman Ross Murdoch at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, saw him consider quitting the sport.
With the European Aquatics Championships arriving in London in May followed by the Olympic Games in Rio later this summer; Jamieson is desperate to overhaul the likes of British rivals Murdoch, Adam Peaty and Andrew Willis and earn selection for both events.
Jamieson has also moved to Edinburgh to train and Adlington believes a change of scenery, some renewed confidence and two major Games on the horizon can only inspire the Scot back to his best form.
The British swimming team for Rio 2016 will compete at the European Aquatics Championships in London, with the event the last chance to see the nation’s best compete internationally before the Olympics.
“He’s moved programmes, he’s trying different things, he’s taking risks and that’s what you’ve got to respect about Michael,” said Adlington.
“Michael is a true racer. He is very good at that. I think if everything goes to plan and if he believes in himself, I don’t see why not, but I think men’s breaststroke is an event which is extremely competitive and extremely tough.
“He’s in one of the hardest events possible to try to make a comeback. That event is very, very tough but as somebody who’s been on a team with Michael, I really hope he does make a comeback.
“I reached out to Michael after the Commonwealth Games, saying I was there if he wanted to talk.
“I’m definitely used to that pressure. It is difficult and I think you have to change because you go from being the underdog to the one that everyone wants to beat overnight.
“It is very hard to transition into that. Michael’s got to deal with all that, wondering if everyone thinks he can do it.
“It’s very tough, we’ve all had to be there and do that. That’s the part and parcel of sport, as long as you don’t feel like you’re on your own and you’re doing the right things in training.
“I knew I was training hard, that’s always what I relied on, my confidence from the training and the work that I did in the pool, I knew that would speak for itself.”
Adlington knows a thing or two about heavy Championship workloads – at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing she won gold in both the 400m and 800m freestyle events, before claiming bronze medals in the same events at London 2012, meaning she shares the record as Great Britain's most decorated female Olympian with Katherine Grainger.
Having experienced firsthand competing in front of a partisan British crowd during the London 2012 Olympic Games, Adlington is convinced a home European Championships will see the British team raise their performances.
The European Championships have not been held in the UK since 1993 and have not been held in London since 1938.
“I am so excited for the European Championships in May. It is amazing that they’re back here, in London and at this incredible venue,” said Adlington.
“The first major championships since the Olympics and I absolutely love this venue, obviously it holds special memories for me.
“But even as a spectator now, it’s just such an impressive venue. To have major championships here, where I know the crowd is going to be brilliant, where I know the swimming is going to be brilliant and where I know the facilities are going to be brilliant, what more could you ask for?
“I know how much a British crowd cheering you on can help to raise performances.”
Tickets for the European Aquatics Championships – the biggest event to be held at the London Aquatics Centre since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games – from May 9-22 are now available here: www.euroaquatics2016.london
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