The New Bolingbroke teenager will compete in next month's finals after qualifying earlier this year.

But as one of the younger swimmers in the field, Patrick sees the event as a good opportunity to prepare for success in little more than a year's time, rather than expect victory this year.

"This year I'm in the 15 and 16 years category and I'll be one of the younger ones," said the 15-year-old Boston Swimming Club competitor.
"I'm seeing this as a learning curve for next year."

Sprinter Patrick will swim in the 50m and 100m freestyle events.

Despite saying he'll settle for qualification to the semi-finals, Patrick also admits to wanting to win.

"People say winning's not everything but I'm really competitive," he added with a smile.

"I love swimming because it's just you and the water and you constantly want to better yourself.

"Even in individual sports like tennis there is other equipment like the racquet."

Patrick's Boston Swimming Club teammate Ben Pogson also qualified to swim in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events but has had to pull out following a broken arm.