JAZZ Carlin is putting the final touches to her preparations as she continues to build up to her Olympic debut in and out of the pool.

The 24-year-old swimmer, who lives in Bradford on Avon, was in Birmingham last week as she swam her way through the checkout, having picked up her official teamwear for Rio next month.

With exactly four weeks until the curtain comes up in Brazil, the realisation that Carlin will be competing at her first Games is finally sinking in and she is making the most of the experience.

“For kitting out, everybody says how it is going to be this incredible day but I think I couldn’t really have expected it to be this amazing,” she said at the kitting out event in Birmingham.

“I do love shopping, so it is a bonus when you’re getting clothes to try on.

“It has been one of those days that I will never forget and wearing the kit that you are going to wear in Rio at the Olympics is a really special feeling.

“As an athlete, it is one of those days that you really look forward to and having that kit that you will be able to have with you and remember for the rest of your life.

“Rio is just around the corner and I can’t wait to get there and race now.”

The pressure of qualifying for her first Games, having missed out on London due to illness, took its toll at the British Championships earlier this year.

However, the Tigersharks swimmer was able to secure her qualifying time and was confirmed in GB's 26-strong swimming team in May.

That selection has taken a weight off of her shoulders and Carlin is hoping that translates to better performances in the pool as she targets a podium finish.

“I feel in training, even now, I am more relaxed and I can actually enjoy it and give everything at it,” she added.

“Before, I was really stressed, even in training, and I can finally feel like I can give it absolutely everything and just go and see what happens.

“Everyone has got dreams and everyone wants to be on the podium but I am just going to make sure I put myself in the best position so that when I step on those blocks, I have given absolutely everything.

“If my best can get me on the podium, then that will be incredible and I am just going to throw everything at it and see what happens.”