A PEEK from outside the chain-link fence was a tease but also a lure as the pack of UK’s gymnastic hopefuls was let loose in Rio eight months before the Olympic Games as the giant construction project in Barra Park neared its home straight.

“Being out there was fantastic,” Dan Purvis recounts. “We didn’t get to go into the actual arena but we were in the training venue, which was amazing, and you could see the Olympic Park from where our hotel was. It was only a few days but it gave you a feeling for how excited the people were there and what it’s going to be like. And I think everyone felt more motivated when they came back.”

Eight has now become four. A lot of building blocks have been laid in place since the Scot’s brush with Brazil. All so that when the competition gets under way on the opening morning of the Games on August 1, sturdy foundations will enable him to rise far above the rubble.

Further steps can be taken in Liverpool this weekend when the British Championships serve as another de facto dress rehearsal for all those with Rio on their minds. Just as at the world championships in Glasgow last autumn, the battle for internal supremacy will add a compelling sidebar.

In the all-around final this evening, Purvis – the defending champion – will again face Max Whitlock with others nipping at their heels. It is a mark of how far things have advanced that the team bronze the pair shared at London 2012 – in addition to Louis Smith’s individual silver – would not suffice to fulfill ambitions four years on.

“It’s still surreal the achievements for both the men and women, what we accomplished this cycle is hard to sink in,” Purvis proclaims. “Maybe when I’ve retired I can look back and think about the history we have made. For now though the focus is very much on what’s next, how I can improve and how the team can improve.

“Countries all over the world are looking at us and trying to replicate what we do and find our secrets to success. To be honest I enjoy that, it’s great to have that focus and know that all eyes are on the Brits when we compete. Since 2012 we’ve continued to push on, we haven’t rested, we always look to better ourselves and make a mark and I think we’ve done that.”

The pursuit of self-improvement has long been a cherished prize. Growing up on Merseyside, Purvis would watch videos of Alexei Nemov, recorded and traded around, to marvel at an extraordinary versatility that brought the Russian Olympic medals in seven different categories over two separate Games.

Duly inspired, his would-be successor has international trinkets from three distinct events although it is on the floor, where he came fifth in the world last year, and in the all-round, where he was seventh, that his greatest aspirations currently lie. His routine has been tweaked. A poor initial pommel horse aside, he showed proof of marginal gains in taking bronze at last month’s World Cup in Glasgow.

“After the World Championships I looked at my all-around performance, which I was really happy with, and tried to find the small improvements,” he confirms. “There’s things like ensuring my legs stay together throughout my pommel routine in competitions, upping my parallel bars routine difficulty even more and continuing to fine tune the other routines so I can compete them when it matters.”

That moment is fast approaching. Smith, back from his hiatus, remains the great wildcard within the squad, still a force but with his berth in Brazil not yet assured. Others on the fringes, like Nile Wilson and Sam Oldham, have to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt.

Some will soar onward. Others will inevitably slip back. Yet, Purvis affirms, there is enough mutual respect that those who miss out on the Olympics will still be heard cheering in support.

“It’s crazy to think when I was a little lad 12 or 13 at my first British training camp I was with the same boys who are now Olympic and World medal winners,” he said. “We’ve really all grown up together as close friends and that same spirit we had as kids and the same friendly rivalry always pushing each other to improve has stayed to this day. To have experienced so many historic events as a squad has strengthened our bond and we have great respect for each other as everyone knows how hard everyone else works.

“Yes, there is friendly rivalry, particularly this year as we are all very aware of the task to make the team for Rio. We know there will be sad times when some don’t make it but equally those that aren’t selected are still part of the team in my eyes.”