This would have to be the toughest moment of my life, whether to swim an event at the Olympic Games or to look after one of your best mates.

242

The goal was to get second in that race and think about what would happen after.

233

The decision I've made has come from my heart. That's me, to follow my heart.

211

I'm going to an Olympic Games, that's the bottom line!

176

I went away for a week. I had time to do a bit of fishing and to play some golf, trying not to think about the decision I had to make. It did get to me a bit. I lay in bed at night thinking about whether I should or shouldn't do it. I think it was just good to get away from swimming.

168

We didn't talk about the decision at all, which was great, just to get together as friends. The only thing he said to me was 'It's your decision. Just do what you have to do and I will back you 100 per cent.

165

I was just speechless. To go in there (Olympic Trials) thinking, just hoping, to qualify for one event at the Olympic Games then to qualify for three events. I couldn't explain it.

126

It was hard thinking about what had happened, as much as I tried not to. I went back to the hotel and I couldn't stop thinking about it because I was the next ranked athlete behind Grant (Hackett) and just to think 'What if I get second? What's going to happen? And that type of thing'.

121

I am so immensely proud to be representing my country at the Athens Olympic Games, that's more than enough for me.

76