Payne (pictured) was the first British athlete to qualify for London 2012 when she retained her World Championship crown in Shanghai in August.

She also claimed silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, having led for much of the 10km event with compatriot Cassandra Patten, before being beaten to the finish by Russia's Larisa Ilchenko.

Having come so close to glory three years ago, the 23-year-old from Manchester could be forgiven for dreaming of going one better in front of what will be a fervent home crowd in Hyde Park in London next year, but, as she told insidethegames, she is solely focused on her training.

"It's about concentrating on what we need to do and training that bit harder and longer so – when we are at the blocks or the pontoon – we have no regrets," said Payne.

"That we've done everything we possibly can do, no matter what the outcome."

Despite Payne's success in her brief career to date, Rebecca Adlington is set to be the focus of British swimming hopes in 2012, having claimed two gold medals in Beijing.

Will the home crowd's expectation being focused on Adlington help Payne?

"I can't control what everyone else does, the same for Rebecca," she said.

"She can't control what everyone else does, only her own performance.

"As long as I've done everything I need to do, then...it's about controlling my variables and not worrying about what anyone else can do."

Payne is still thrilled at having achieved the milestone of being the first British athlete guaranteed a place at the Olympic Games next year, calling it an "honour".

"That's what we train for every day," she said.

"It was so nice to be the first person to qualify for a home Olympics.

"It was all about making sure I qualified, doing what I needed to do to make the team – and then it was nice to know I was the first one! It doesn't get any better than that."

After her exploits at the World Championships in Shanghai, where she witnessed the boost the boisterous home crowd gave the Chinese swimmers, the South Africa-born athlete is looking forward to having the home crowd behind her and Team GB in 2012.


"Every time the Chinese athletes were standing on the blocks or the podium, or anywhere, the crowd would go mental," said Payne.

"Every time they came to the end of the race, they'd go mental again, particularly in the 1500m final when Sun Yang had to go mentally fast to win.

"The noise in the crowd was unbelievable and that definitely helped him over the last 100m.

"When he got the world record it gave every single person in that room chills.

"It's exciting to know that, next time, that is going to be for the British."

But the Olympic Games is not the only significant event taking place in Payne's life next year – she is getting married in September.

As she explains, this was intentionally planned to help to distract her from thinking too much about the Games, giving her another focus in those crucial weeks leading up to the Olympics.

"Obviously, training is a massive part of my life, but I love having that distraction," she said.

"It makes me a better person because I'm not thinking solely about myself.

"I'm really excited. I don't feel stressed or worried.

"I'm just organising a big party for all of my friends and family."

And if her preparations go according to plan, it may not be the only thing Payne is celebrating next summer.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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