HANNAH MILEY has warned her rivals not to underestimate her ability in the pool because of a supposed lack of strength and height.
The Scot will travel to the Rio Olympics this summer to compete in her third Games and is hoping to improve on a sixth-place finish in Beijing 2008 and fifth place in London four years ago.
The 5ft 5in Miley will be a medal contender this summer as she aims for glory in the 400 metres individual medley, one of the sport's most intense events.
READ MORE: Murdoch: UK swimmers won't settle for second best in Rio
"I'm not the tallest, I'm not the biggest and I'm not the strongest," Miley told Press Association Sport.
"Nobody expects somebody that's my height, my size to be really good.
"Everyone expects the bigger, the better, the tallest and strongest are going to get through. For me, 'no, I like to prove you wrong'.
"I like doing things in the most awkward or most complicated way, just to be different.
"I do get a bit of a kick out of hard graft and being able to know you've put in a tough training session and think 'not many people in the world have just done what I've just done' and I'm spewing at the end of the set.
"The tough events, not many people want to do them, so it's an opportunity.
"If I'm willing to put the work in, willing to do the events, if you have a lane, you have a chance."
The two-time Commonwealth champion suffered the agony of just missing out on a podium place at last year's World Championships, when she finished fourth.
Now the 26-year-old is focusing on bouncing back and having a good time in the pool to try and achieve her goal of becoming an Olympic medallist.
"The Olympic medal is that one medal that has eluded me, (but) I don't want to focus on the medals," she said.
"Last year at the World Championships I was focusing so much on being on that podium that when it didn't happen, it really hit me hard.
"I was in such a dark place afterwards that it really made me question why do I do what I do?
"This year I still want to be able to enjoy it. I've put so many hours in, I've put so much hard work into it, that it's a shame to throw it away, regardless of what the outcome is.
"I've enjoyed my journey, the road that I've been on has been pretty special.
"Going into Rio I want to be the best prepared, I want to know that I've left no stone unturned and I want to make sure I put in the best performance I possibly can.
"I can't control my competitors around me, all I can do is my best.
"I know sometimes that phrase can irritate some people, because 'we want medals'.
"I've just got to make sure I hold my nerve and give it my all."
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