Here is what the athletes say of their Olympics hopes:
"The World Swimming Championships last year were very significant for me. I became able to evolve into various races. I am not uneasy about being under pressure. My prime goal is win a gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games. I feel very strongly about achieving that and will work hard, looking ahead instead of putting myself on the defensive. I would like to create an environment in which I'll be able to concentrate on training in the course of my professional activities. I think it will be good if other athletes follow me. Now that I am in such a position, I'd like to hand down my results. I think there is only a very short time before the Athens Olympics. It is more difficult to win a gold at the Olympics than at the world swimming championships. I'll go for broke at the Olympics."
"I feel I have improved my level of ability to throw. I set a third best world record in Prague. I was injured before the World Championships (in Paris) but was able to get a medal. Now, I am training without deciding and turning out one new thing after another. I am very happy and satisfied with what I have been doing. I think other people are checking on me but I am researching athletes around me. It's impossible for me to do things the same way as others. I will look for what I can do. I am going to be very careful in putting myself in shape in preparation for Athens. It is almost impossible to have everything ready for the competition but all I'll do is what I can. I'd like to compete in the Olympics in a way that I'll be satisfied with."