SWINDON swimmer Jazz Carlin knows her place at the Olympics later this year is far from certain as she kicks off her British Championships campaign today.

The 25-year-old will bid to make that place certain this week with the championships doubling up as the trials for Rio.

Carlin has fond memories of Tollcross, the setting for this week’s six-day competition, having swam to gold in the 800m freestyle at the 2014 Commonwealth Games to add to the silver she won in the 400m freestyle.

The Tigersharks swimmer will be hoping for a repeat performance having taken domestic titles in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle in London last year but is taking nothing for granted.

“A lot of people say ‘oh you’re already going to the Olympics,’ but you need to perform at the trials,” she said.

“Unlike last time [in 2012] the preparation has been great and I’ve had a solid block over in Australia training outdoors with the warmth which gives you a great boost.

“The journey since 2012 has been a rollercoaster, but I think the home support will be great. It’s every athlete’s dream to go to the Olympics. I just have to swim well, eat well, rest well, look after myself and hopefully that will be enough.”

Carlin has responded well to a change in regime, having switched training quarters to Bath University and even moving home to Bradford on Avon in the wake of coach Bud McAllister departing to Australia in April 2014.

The swimmer has since teamed up with David McNulty and has not been knocked out of her stride, winning bronze in the 800m freestyle at the World Championships last year in Russia as well as gold medals at the European short course in Israel.

“It was nerve-wracking moving programmes to be with a new coach and setup but it was great to come away with a World bronze and two European short course golds,” she added.

“It’s all about the Rio Olympics though, the trials are a stepping stone and I’m excited to get racing.”

Carlin will then turn her focus to the European Championships, being held at London’s Aquatic Centre at the end of May, which will provide the ideal preparation for Rio in July should she come through this week unscathed.

“The journey since 2012 has been a rollercoaster, but I think home support will be great and the European competition is world class,” she said.

“It’s every athlete’s dream go to the Olympics and London will be great build-up.”

Carlin will go in the heats of the 200m this morning, with the final this evening.