CITY Olympic hopeful Antony James begins his London 2012 bid next week at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Istanbul.

The championships are a dress rehearsal for the Commonwealth Games next year and the World Championships in 2011.

Jon Rudd, who coaches the Plymouth Leander butterfly specialist, admitted bringing home a medal from the European Championships was not the number one priority for the 20-year-old swimmer.

He said: "Antony, in terms of international experience, is greener than some of the club's juniors.

"Some of our younger swimmers have Great Britain experience, but Antony was a late developer and didn't take up swimming seriously until a couple of years ago.

"Therefore, he hasn't got any junior experience at Great Britain level."

Rudd added: "It's important for him to be in Istanbul so he can get the feel of international competitions, how they work and what the pitfalls and processes are.

"It would be nice to come back with a medal, and we would both be disappointed if he didn't make the finals.

"But you're talking about a guy who's only swum for Great Britain twice, so he needs this sort of competition.

"It's good experience for him ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships."

Rudd said James, one of Europe's top six butterfly stroke swimmers, was 'very focussed' on getting his preparations for the event right.

He said: "Antony seems to possess a sixth sense over what he's got to do to get things right.

"He knows how important it is and he won't do anything to compromise his performance."

More Leander swimmers are also going for international glory this weekend.

The city club is sending a team to the World Schools' Championships in Qatar on Sunday.

The Leander team is James Young, David Gregory, Joe Parker, Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Grant Halsall, Jonathan Hill and Kirsty Harkness.

Sam Straughan was also selected for the event, but had to withdraw because of a back injury.

Ajulu-Bushell, meanwhile, has been voted one of her continent's favourite athletes.

The 15-year-old, who swims for Kenya, came fourth in a poll to select Africa's top swimmers.