Molly Renshaw fulfills swimming dream

UK F-Teamer Molly Renshaw is excited for Rio.

Our Funkita UK F-Team swimmer Molly Renshaw credits one of the biggest disappointments in her sporting journey for her biggest achievement so far. Having now qualified for Rio, the 20-year-old admits that the memory of her near miss for London 2012 motivated her to pursue a spot on Team GB for Rio.

Four years ago, then 16-year-old Molly swam 2:26.81 in the 200m breaststroke at British Championships, under the required 2:26.89. However she finished second behind Stacey Tadd, and the selection policy meant that only first place automatically qualified for the team. Second-place competitors were required to be inside the world top 16 rankings, which Molly wasn't. Then, at the next qualifier in June, Molly claimed the national title, but missed the qualifying time by .86 of a second. An appeal process followed but ultimately, Molly missed out.

"I was so young and it was my third major team so I was quite new to it all. Obviously I was massively disappointed. I think it knocked me back for a couple of years, but since 2014 it's really pushed me on to make sure I get on the team this year. I think it's made me really determined and now I make sure I nail everything in training so it gives me the best opportunity in Rio," she says.

Molly wears Colour Cubes from Luma Nation

Molly secured her spot on the plane to Rio with silver and a time of 2:23.56 in the 200m breaststroke at British trials. That was a PB for Renshaw that she's since beaten with a time of 2:23.18 at the European Championships, a new English record for the 200m breaststroke! She revealed that a training camp in Australia provided the perfect platform for a standout year.

"We went out in January for a 7-week camp just to get out of the UK, as it's pretty dull and cold in January and February. While I was there I travelled to Melbourne to meet up with Funkita in Melbourne and did a photo shoot - it was the hottest day they'd had in ages...it was so nice!"

Molly wears Tip Top from Luma Nation.

However it's her constant commitment to training regardless of the location that ensures she continues to break records on her road to Rio.

"It is hard to stay motivated as, at the end of the day, you are swimming up and down for two hours staring at a black line on the bottom of the pool. But, all you have to think about are the rewards and what you get out of it, which is totally worth it. The harder sessions and strength tests are a little more interesting because you have to focus on what you're doing, nail your technique and hit your times. For longer aerobic sessions you just have to remind yourself why you're doing it and even now I think 'I'm going to Rio' - it gets you through the session!

We're also getting into more speed sessions and doing more in the gym which I really enjoy as it's something different. Being a middle distance swimmer I don't really get to do sprints that often, so when I do I get really excited," she reveals.

In July, Molly won the Scottish Championship with a time of 2.23.96 with fellow UK F-Team swimmer Georgia Coates in second. We're looking forward to seeing Molly step up to the starting blocks in Rio.