ANTHONY James and Michael Phelps aren’t exactly the best of friends but the former believes familiarity with the 14-time Olympic champion breeds content ahead of London 2012.

The 22-year-old has been keeping himself busy since he forced his way into the British set-up, competing at the European Championships last summer before moving on to the Commonwealth Games and claiming 100m butterfly silver and 4x100m medley bronze.

But it’s this summer’s World Championships from which James believes he acquired his most valuable asset – sharing the Shanghai waters with the likes of Phelps.

James far from disgraced himself in the Far East as well – finishing 15th over 50m and 19th over 100m – and he’s convinced that bodes well when it comes to the race for London 2012.

“I am pleased with how the year has gone, it was all about gaining experience,” said James, who is encouraging swimming for 30 minutes once a week, which burns up to 350 calories and tones your body, as part of British Swimming’s Big Splash.

“Going to the World Championships and racing in semi-finals and finals and getting the feel for a major Games and major championships will allow me to prepare better.

“Last year I was at the bottom of the learning curve and this year I have really come through and that puts me in a good position for the Olympics.

“It’s just things like going to the call room for a final at the World Championships is completely different to doing it at the nationals.

“It is those little things that hopefully when the Olympics come around it won’t be my first time stepping into the call room and sitting next to Michael Phelps.

“I would have been through that experience before and it can help me focus.

At the moment they are all new experiences but once you have been through it, it is easier second time around and you will perform better second time around.”

With the Olympics not including a 50m butterfly competition, James will not have the chance to employ his favoured routine of preparing for the 100m in the shorter event.

But the Plymouth Leander flyer has a contingency plan.

“With the 50m butterfly not being included on the Olympic programme I might race the 100m freestyle or another race at the trials early on to get the cobwebs out and do some practice,” added James, who is helping to promote the 1000 pools across the UK offering Big Splash events, taster sessions, and special offers to customers.

“I have really upped my training for the next year – I have done a lot of running, cycling and doing classes like yoga, pilates and body balancing – so my training has evolved and I am pleased with how it’s going.

“Every aspect has been upped because it is a big year ahead, my biggest year so far.”

British Swimming’s Big Splash campaign is supported by principal partner British Gas, and supporting partners Kellogg’s and Speedo. For more information on great swimming activities and offers visit www.bigsplash.co.uk