BRODIE Williams might be 23 and an Olympian but he still does not know what it feels like to race in front of a packed crowd on the global stage.

The Taunton born swimmer has so far spent his senior international career racing in front of teammates and officials because of Covid, but all that is set to change this summer.

And what is more, Williams will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race in front of a home crowd when he represents Team England at Birmingham 2022.

Williams explained: “For me, the Olympics was a weird one because my parents wanted to come out and watch me whereas Commonwealth Games being my first one and it being a home Games, I'm quite looking forward to having my parents come and watch.

“I think it will be a proud moment for the family and not just myself.

“But it's a privilege for it to be a home Games and it being my first I'm sure the atmosphere will be pretty special once we're among the fans.

“I'm as of yet to experience a full crowd at a major meet unfortunately, Covid has taken that away.

“So these two meets coming up in Worlds and the Commonwealth Games will be my first time experiencing a full crowd and obviously I'm quite looking forward to that.”

While Williams already has a European title to his name, having raced in the heats of the victorious 4x100m medley relay in Glasgow back in 2018, he remains one of the junior members of the British team.

Williams is one of more than 1,100 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering technology, science and medical support.

They achieved a record medal haul in Tokyo, spearheaded by Adam Peaty and Tom Dean who came away with two gold medals apiece.

Williams had to settle for a semi-final berth in the 200m backstroke, as well as going out in the heats of the 400m individual medley.

And having seen how successful his teammates have been in recent times, he has every intention of getting in on the act.

He added: “The Olympics were a great learning experience for me. Obviously, I was part of an amazing British team and watching my teammates do some incredible things is unbelievable.

“But obviously I was sat there watching the finals rather than being in them and I think that's what I'm taking forward is that it's quite important to swim well in the heats and get yourself among the finals.

“At these major meets I just want to progress through the ranks and hopefully fight amongst medals.”

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