Jazz Carlin will go for more Welsh swimming glory in Rio on Thursday night.
Carlin is preparing for her heats at around 6.00pm UK time in the 800-metre freestyle just three days after taking silver in the 400m.
The 25-year-old from Swindon – who moved to Swansea as a teenager to improve her training – has earned the nickname ‘Pitbull’ thanks to her fierce determination.
The Olympian says that she was “absolutely gobsmacked” to win the silver medal after so many major tournament disappointments in the past.
She said: “I am a swimmer who is last out of the pool, never misses a metre and will do absolutely everything to improve. I am a grinder in the pool.”
Carlin came home in 04:01.2 to claim silver behind the USA’s Kathleen Ledecky who won gold with a new world record of 3:56.46. Another America, Leah Smith, took bronze in 04:01.9.
Carlin added: “It’s an incredible feeling and it’s definitely not sunk in yet. Four years ago I was sat in the stand cheering Team GB on but now I’m actually part of the team and to come away with a silver medal is absolutely amazing.
“I wanted to come here and give it absolutely everything and have no regrets. Sometimes you swim and think I could have a bit left but I wanted to get myself into the race rather than always having to catch up and then absolutely go for it.
“I could see Katie was a bit in front and having a great swim so I just tried to hang on and am gobsmacked to come away with silver.
“I was in the pool room watching Adam Peaty and I had goose bumps on the block. To see someone who’s your teammate achieve a new world record and becomes Olympic Champion right before you swim definitely got me pumped up. It’s been a great night for Team GB in the pool. We’ve got a great team here and hopefully we can keep the momentum up and inspire the rest of the team for the rest of the week.”
Wales’ Chloe Tutton ended a breakthrough few months by making her Olympic debut in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke and delivered a strong semi-final swim, but just missed out on a finals berth.