Swimming: Simmonds fixed on Delhi but still looking for Euro boost

The 19-year-old is in Budapest as the European No 1 in both the 100m and 200m backstrokes having swum 59.43secs and 2:06.79mins, respectively, in March.

Simmonds has been putting in the metres in the pool ever since and with October's Commonwealth Games the main target for British swimmers in 2010 she arrived in Hungary with little rest.

The Beverley-born competitor will be at a slight disadvantage as a result with the European Championships the major meet of the year for heavyweight nations such as Russia, Germany and France.

While addressing that, Simmonds – who claimed European 4x100m medley relay gold in 2008 – has vowed to make an impact on her flying visit to Budapest.

"Training has been going really well and everyone has been working really hard and I feel better for the solid blocks of training we have been doing," said Simmonds.

"I might complain when I am hurting a lot in the morning or when I can't walk up the stairs but I know it is going to benefit me for my main goal of the Commonwealth Games.

"It is definitely a no pain, no gain situation but despite my priorities for the year, the Europeans are still important and it will be good to see how my body reacts.

"I will only have a few days' rest, if any at all. And for other European countries the European Championships will probably be their major meet for the year but, for us, it isn't.

"But this doesn't mean that we won't be going out there looking for the win because if you don't do that then there is no point in turning up."

Simmonds has fond memories of the pool in the Hungarian capital, having made her European Championship debut there as a 15-year-old in 2006.

She finished fifth, ninth and 20th in the 200m, 100m and 50m backstrokes, respectively, but with her main priorities elsewhere she admits she has no expectations.

"The Europeans will be a good little break away from everything but the hard work continues throughout really," she added.

"For that reason, I haven't really set myself any solid targets because I just want to go there and see what happens.

"The Europeans are going to be good as a bit of a practice session – I am sure I will find out a lot about myself."

The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the main partner of British Swimming, and have pledged 15m to support the sport at all levels – from paddling pool to podium. More information at www.

britishgas.co.uk/swimming