Olympic 400metres individual medley finalist Hannah Miley will be making up for lost time at the World Championships next week as she travels to Rome as one of Great Britain’s brightest prospects.

The 19-year-old Swindon-born girl failed to make the team for the last Worlds in Melbourne and as a result missed out on a whole cycle of competition, including pre-selection for Beijing.

The Garioch swimmer’s misery was compounded when she swam a time at the British Championships which would have seen her claim silver in Australia.

It meant she missed out on invaluable top-class competition but also gave extra motivation never to suffer such disappointment again.

Miley said: “It’s all about gaining experience, coping with the situations, finding out what’s best for you. You’ve got people there like (seven-time Olympic medallist) Kirsty Coventry.

“(But) it gave me a huge kick up the backside to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

“Thinking about it now, you have to ask would I be where I am today without having that experience, having that huge disappointment.”

In Beijing Miley finished sixth in the 400m individual medley, 11th in the 200m version and was part of the 4x200m squad that failed to reach the final despite being one of the favourites for the title.

Despite contracting a chest infection four to six weeks out from the Games, Miley was disappointed with her time in the final and since then has worked hard with her coach, father Patrick, to make improvements, especially on her breaststroke.

The result is she approaches Rome as the fastest in the world in her favoured event, the 400m IM, which takes place on Sunday August 2nd, ahead of Coventry, and third in the four-length race.

Following her efforts at the trials in Sheffield in March, Miley became a double European record holder although Frenchwoman Camille Muffat eclipsed her 200m IM mark shortly after.

She will attempt to reclaim this record when the event takes place, with the heats tomorrow before the final on Monday evening.

However, the Inverurie-based swimmer refuses to read too much into the rankings.

She added: “I just need to stay focused on the training, follow what my coach has planned and give it my all and make sure that I can come out of the race knowing I couldn’t give it any more.

“Kirsty Coventry sent out a message with her recent 4:32. It will have people spooked. Already they have almost lost.

“People say you win or lose in the ready room because it is all down to mental capability - if you are able to take the pressure or not.”