Tancock: Coaches made me

Liam Tancock is one of Great Britain's best medal hopes in the swimming pool at this summer's Olympics but he knows his coaches take a lot of the credit for his success.

The Sky Sports Scholar is a double world champion and record holder at 50 metre backstroke and is also a Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

Tancock is unfortunate he will not be able to directly transfer his talent at London 2012, because his event is not recognised by the Olympics, and so he will race in the 100m for Team GB.

But the Loughborough University star is still full of potential and he recognises he owes a debt of gratitude to current coach Ben Titley and former mentor Jon Randal, who nurtured his early talent at Exeter City Swimming Club.

"I would not be here without them," Tancock explained in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports during the launch of the Gillette 'Great Start' coaching campaign.

Focus

"I would not be doing what I am doing. I could not have. It is incredible what coaches actually do."

Tancock's immediate focus is upon the London Games, having booked his place by winning the British Olympic trial for the 100m backstroke at the Aquatics Centre earlier in March.

But the 26-year-old is also giving thought to his career after swimming and has revealed he would consider moving into coaching.

"I have actually done a coaching qualification for myself," said Tancock. "Purely because I want to give something back as well."

He added: "I have been fortunate to have some great coaches in my career. My current coach, Ben Titley, who I have worked with for nine years, and Jon Randall back in Exeter.

"I have been lucky and I understand what they have given me. We all understand great coaches create great athletes."

Liam Tancock is a Gillette ambassador. Gillette's 'Great Start' campaign celebrates coaches and inspires the next generation by encouraging men to get into coaching. Facebook.com/GilletteUK