Swimmer Rebecca Meder targets semifinal spot at Paris Olympics

Although the swimming competitions officially start today, Meder has a week before competing in the women’s 200m individual medley heats during the morning session on 2 August.

Should she advance to the semifinals, she will swim again that evening at 9.22pm. despite her ambitions, Meder intends to avoid putting too much pressure on herself and plans to take things one step at a time.

"Swimming starts first but I'm towards the end of the swimming programme, so I've got a week until I race which is pretty exciting. My goals would be obviously to be the best that I can be, I know that's a cliche answer, everyone says that but I train extremely hard," Meder said.

"It's my second Olympic Games, I'm still young, I'm 21 years old but I still have a lot to achieve in my swimming career. I'm chasing that semifinal and once that semifinal is in, then I'm hoping to try and make that final.

“It's a big and scary dream but whether I get it or I don't, I'm going to fight my way to try and see what I can do not just to make my family proud but my country proud and my God proud. So, that's my goal, that's my dream."

READ: Dr Thulani Ngwenya excited about his debut Olympic Games in Paris

Even though she is in Paris for her second Olympic Games, it feels like a completely new experience for her.

She is still in disbelief at making it to another Olympic Games and eagerly anticipates meeting the sports minister, Gayton McKenzie.

"Ooh, not yet I got up, hopped on the bus and I'm now here. I think it's gonna be awesome meeting him and introducing myself and getting to know him too but even this whole Olympic Games experience you often have to stop and pinch yourself and remind yourself that you are here," she added.

"I saw the competition pool for the first time yesterday and normally everyone walks in and they are like, wow and take videos and whatever and I actually just stopped and I just let it sink in and then tears were in my eyes a little bit and I was like, this is the moment that you've trained so hard for.

"Yes, I've been to the Olympic Games but that doesn't make this one's not as special. Every single time I get to represent my country, every time I get to see the rings, it's very special."