Miley happy with her Olympics performance

11:37am Tuesday 12th August 2008

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Swindon-born teenager Hannah Miley insists she achieved everything she wanted to in Beijing - despite failing to make the final in her last individual event.

The 19-year-old finished sixth in the 400m individual medley final over the weekend but failed to make the final of the 200m event after finishing fifth in her semi-final yesterday (Tuesday).

And despite leaving China empty-handed Miley was adamant she had achieved her pre-Games goals in the Far East.

"The experience has been really good," she said. "I can take a lot from this and learn from it and hopefully I can expect more from 2012.

"I know what's going to come now and how the Olympics operate. I didn't even expect to get into the semi-finals so it is an unexpected bonus.

"I am really positive about my performance - it was one of the fastest swims I have done this season so I am really pleased with that.

"My goals were always to enjoy Beijing and swim as fast I can. I have achieved both of those."

Miley's efforts in the Chinese capital are another feather in the cap for British swimming which is on a high following Rebecca Adlington's 400m freestyle gold and Jo Jackson's bronze.

And Miley revealed Adlington's history-making swim had inspired the entire team and increased her hunger for a piece of the medal action at the London Games in 2012.

"The medals yesterday have bought the team together even more," she added. "The team spirit is unbelievable. Everyone is really happy and joyful and looking forward to the rest of the competition.

"It means so much to everyone I am really looking forward to 2012 and hopefully getting one myself."

Despite her positive reaction, Miley was not at her best in the 200m semi-finals and left herself with too much to do after the butterfly leg where she trailed last after 50m.

She did swim two impressive legs in the breaststroke and freestyle - eventually finishing fifth.

But her time of 2.12.35 minutes was nearly a second outside her personal best and was 11th fastest overall with Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry setting the pace with a new Olympic record.

Yet Miley revealed a secret weapon in her bid to take Coventry's crown at 2012 - fruit pastilles.

She added: "I always eat them after a race. They are really good because it replaces your energy stores instantly.

"There is science behind it but it helps that they taste nice."

Lloyds TSB, proud first partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to 2012. Visit www.LloydsTSB.com/London2012