Swimming European Short Course Championships:The chill wind blowing around the city of Debrecen, Hungary, this week, could remind Andrew Bree that, after being coldly written off in certain quarters, 2007 has been a good year.
When he stands on the blocks on Sunday for the 200 metres breaststroke he will have a European medal in his sights, four years on from his thrilling silver medal performance in the National Acquatic Centre.
Despite placing fifth at the 2006 Commonwealth Games for the second time in four years and in a new Irish record time, Bree did not impress at last year's long course and short course European Championships.
It prompted the Sports Council for Northern Ireland to cut his funding and left him struggling to make ends meet at his base in the University of Tennessee.
But the 26-year-old was determined to make sure that his swimming journey was not ended by anything other than his own decision, and his goal was Beijing 2008.
Come August at the US Nationals it was mission accomplished, with Irish 200 metre breaststroke records in the heats and final, taking a full second off his previous best.
"I felt so good, it was almost surreal. I stood on the blocks and I just knew that I was going to make it. I had visualised the race so often," said Bree, who starts his campaign at the European Short Course Championships tomorrow with the 100 metres breaststroke and 200 metres individual medley.
"I had some of the best swimmers in the world either side of me, like the world record holder Brendan Hansen, but I wasn't even aware of them, I was just focused on the race I had to do and it worked out.
"Having done the time it just made me even more determined to go to Beijing, having spent 12 months totally focused on the Games.
"Whatever happens in Debrecen this week, it is all part of working towards Beijing.
"As soon as I made the time I rang an old friend of mine from University of Tennessee who is a personal trainer and has worked with some of the big movie stars and he has agreed to spend the next 12 months working with me towards Beijing.
"It's not easy financially and that's why I'm very grateful to the Irish Sports Council for their support as well as the support of my parents. Without them I simply couldn't keep swimming at this level."
Before the summer Bree had planned to hang up his goggles after Beijing but now his renewed appetite for the sport has him looking even further ahead.
"I wouldn't rule out the Commonwealth Games in 2010, just depending on how I go in the Olympics," he added.
"But I've got these championships first and I'm excited about once again taking on some of the best in the world - the Olympic silver medallist (Daniel) Gyurta is there and he's the defending European champion so he's the favourite.
"There's also a very good Italian and a couple of Russians who will have to be beaten if I am to get on to the podium, but I believe I can win a medal again.
"I'm in great shape and I have the same relaxed, self belief that I had before I went into the Europeans in Dublin.
"Standing on the podium with all the Irish fans there was an incredible experience and to get another medal four years later would be fantastic."
Two to watch out for
Julie Douglas(27) remains the Irish record holder for the 50 metres freestyle, short course and long course as well as the Irish record holder for the 100 metre free long course. Carrickfergus woman Douglas, who has been based in Australia for the past 18 months, is also the holder for the 50 metre butterfly, long and short course Irish records. She is hoping to set personal bests which will qualify her for the World short course championships in April.
Aisling Cooneyis the new rising star of Irish swimming and, at just 17, she already holds the senior record for the 100 metres backstroke, taking it off world championship representative Melanie Nocher.
Cooney, who swims for the ESB club in Dublin, will be competing in the 200 metres, 100 metres and 50 metres backstroke as well as the 100 metres, and 50 metres freestyle
