Payne reveals setbacks

British Olympic hopeful admits 2011 took its toll on her body

By Emma Bird. Last Updated: February 7, 2012 12:49pm

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Keri-Anne Payne, the two-time world 10K open water champion has revealed that the triumphs of 2011 have left her struggling for fitness in this crucial Olympic year.

"I've not had as good a start to the season as I had last year."
Keri-Anne Payne Quotes of the week

The Stockport swimmer became the first British athlete to qualify for the Olympic team when she won the open water title at the World Championships in Shanghai last summer.

Payne, 24, told Sky Sports News: "I've not had as good a start to the season as I had last year. Unfortunately I've had a string of injuries - I had a bad back, bad shoulder and a bad neck. I'm hoping it's just a case of my body winding down from last season because it was such a great season.

"We are off on a training camp fairly soon and I really can't wait to get out there and just get some really good work in and then come back for trials and hopefully have a great swim like I did last season."

Honour

The 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the 10K swim, admits it was a great honour to be the first athlete selected to represent her country at a home Olympics this summer.

"I hadn't thought about that at all before the race," she continued. "For myself it was the qualifying stages, I had to be top 10 at the World Championships in Shanghai last year.

"It really was a tough thing to do and I only ever thought all season about making sure I was in the top 10. It didn't cross my mind until I crossed the finish line to be honest that I had made the Olympic team and not only that, I was the first person to make the Olympic team."

Payne will make her open water Olympic appearance in the Serpentine on August 9.

She is also hoping to qualify for the pool team in the 400 metres individual medley and the 800m freestyle at the British Gas Swimming Championships at the Aquatics Centre in March.