Carlin Can Be A Samba Star After Sealing Ticket To Rio

Jazz Carlin has ended four years of hurt by booking her ticket to this summer’s Rio Olympics.

The Swansea swimmer saw her Games dream wrecked four years ago by a bout of glandular fever which left her considering giving up the sport.

But in the Tollcross pool in Glasgow where she struck gold for Wales two years ago Carlin sealed her place in Britain’s Brazil bound team.

The 25-year-old double European champion triumphed in the 400m freestyle in a time of four minutes 4.33 seconds.

But crucially that was 0.33secs inside the qualifying time for Rio and came just days after she had missed the mark in the 800m.

Carlin said: “It means so much to me. It is like a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

“I’ve had so much support from friends and family, my boyfriend, his family all week after the 800 but I’ve been moody and emotional with everyone. Four years ago it was heartbreak for me.

“After the 800m I told myself you’re going to have to sort yourself out. I have put pressure on myself and I wanted to do my best.

“I have been trying to relax and think about the race. I tried to remember back to when I was a little girl, I just used to race and have fun.

“I didn’t focus on the time going into the race. I decided to enjoy it, go out there and do a good race.

“It was my last event and I wanted to put everything into it. It was a great race and a strong field. I just wanted to go in there and do my best. I am absolutely over the moon.”

Carlin considered quitting the sport after missing out in London but after watching her home Games on the television knew she wanted to be part of 2016.

The Bath-trained swimmer added: “It was amazing to watch the Britain team on the television but there was a moment when I said ‘you know what, I want to be there. I want to be back in the water