Johnson won a silver medal at her first appearance at a Paralympic Games at Athens 2004 in the freestyle 100 metres S6 class at the age of just 18.

She went on to claim gold in Beijing three years ago, and has also managed to win gold at three International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships.

Given that she also set and then broke her own 50m breaststroke world record in 2009, her rivals next year will not want to hear that Johnson plans to continue for a while yet, and believes she can continue to improve.

"Of course I'm aiming for gold but if you speak to any athlete they're aiming for gold," she told insideworldparasport.

"I love to compete.

"In terms of medals I've got the full set so I can be happy with what I've achieved but...I don't think I have reached my potential.

"As long as I feel I can get faster as an athlete I will continue to swim.

"I just love it, I love the sport."


Johnson is naturally looking forward to competing in the Aquatics Centre (pictured) at the Olympic Park next year, and she had the honour in July of laying the last tile at the venue before its opening.

And with a home Games less than a year away, Johnson has added motivation during training.

"I'm training in the same manner as I have always done but I think it's more exciting that it is at home," she said.

"It adds something and you definitely want to be there.

"So many people you know have got tickets and could be in the crowd shouting for you - it's not just noise that you pretend is for you."

It should be little surprise that she has such drive to succeed, given that the two sporting role models she picks out are former England captain David Beckham and four times Olympic champion Michael Johnson.

"I love the passion David Beckham has for his sport and the way he thrives off that – I try to always be that enthusiastic," Johnson said.

"In terms of how I apply myself, I like to follow Michael Johnson as he is so set on what he wants to do and his focus is admirable.

"We're all individuals – one way doesn't work for everyone.

"If you take things off those people hopefully that'll stand you in good stead."

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