I think for most people it's hard to understand what it is about swimming - I mean, it's such a solo endeavour.

Swimming is one of the hardest sports.

I'm not homophobic at all and I have a lot of gay friends.

You don't want to line up on the blocks and know you have not done everything you possibly can.

And I guess the thing that I really sort of rely on in me is that I love racing and I love competing and so I know that you know when the time comes and the pressure's on and I have to swim well, I'm sort of able to pull it out and sort of get the best out of myself.

Whenever you get a sharp pain, you need to back it off.

I think for most people it's hard to understand what it is about swimming - I mean, it's such a solo endeavour.