ABERGAVENNY swimmer Katie Hoyle has pulled a fair few strokes to qualify to take part in the Olympic trials for London 2012 .

The talented 13-year-old successfully achieved the selection time for the 50 metre freestyle, whilst competing at a level one meeting at Bath University, and will now be competing in the trials to be held at the new Olympic pool in London, on March 9.

The brand new aquatic centre at the Olympic village is being used for the first time to stage the British Gas swimming championships 2012(selection trials), and the event will be the showground for Britain's finest swimmers, to compete for their place at this year's Olympics in London.

Katie's father, David Hoyle, a Doctor at Nevill Hall Hospital said, "This is a great achievement for Katie and a reward for the enormous amount of effort that she has committed to the sport. As probably one of the youngest to qualify for the trial, we have to be realistic as she is up against Britain's finest swimmers. However, she is in a 50 metre race, she's very fast, and anything can happen on the day!"

Katie started swimming when she was quite young and originally trained at Abergavenny leisure centre for the town swimming club. She progressed well and moved on to the Heads of the Valleys club, only two years ago.

Katie now trains at Torfaen swimming squad most mornings before school and several sessions in the evenings. She competes regularly for the Torfaen squad, under coach Ian Rosser, and has also been selected for the elite county squad.

Katie is currently ranked second in Wales at 100 metre Freestyle and 4th in Great Britain for her age group.

Katie's mum, Amanda Hoyle, who is coach at Abergavenny swimming club, and competed at a high level in swimming herself, said "The commitment required to be a competitive swimmer is huge, and requires many long hours in the pool, mostly before any of her friends are even awake!"

With only four weeks to go, Katie is maintaining her training schedule and very much looking forward to the competition.

The talented teen said, "I'm a bit nervous at the moment, but I'm going to give it my absolute best in the race!"