SWINDON swimmer Jazz Carlin believes that having to compete against Katie Ledecky will only help to raise her own performance.

The 25-year-old will not have to worry about the American nine-time world champion this week, as the Wiltshire swimmer prepares for the European Short Course Championships, but says that Ledecky gives her something to work towards.

Ledecky, who shot to fame when winning 800m freestyle gold at the London 2012 Olympics as a 15 year old, has since added an array of world records and titles to her collection in a glittering three-year spell.

“When you have got a competitor in your event that is breaking records and even winning the 200, which for a distance swimmer isn’t likely, it can be daunting,” Carlin said.

“I think she has shown the distance swimmers that you need to have that speed to go out fast enough and I am working on that and my 200 is improving.

“Obviously she is an incredible athlete and it is tough when she is in your event. I don’t think any of the other swimmers on the British team are jealous that she is not in their events.

“It is great because she is proving the impossible is possible and she is doing times that people thought could never be done by a female.

“It is tough having her in my event but it has also given everyone the confidence that we have something to chase and something to work for now.”

Carlin, who is now based in Bradford on Avon, is in Netanya, Israel, and goes in the women’s 800m freestyle tomorrow, before also going in the heats of the 400m on Sunday.

The British team, which includes five world champions in Adam Peaty, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Robbie Renwick, Fran Halsall and Chris Walker-Hebborn, are led by Carlin’s coach David McNulty.

“As well as racing the very best that Europe has to offer, the main aim for the team will be to continue with the highly professional team behaviours while developing the outstanding skills that have given British swimming team some great success over the last few years,” he said.

“It’s our job to ensure we do not take a step back. We need to continue with these winning ways and to make it the norm for our teams going forward.”