Lisa Chapman will shake the tension out of her arms and legs as she steps on to her blocks to compete for the first time as a member of Britain's Olympic swimming team on Thursday.

Lisa races in the 100m freestyle at the French National Championships in Dunkirk and is convinced her team can win a medal at Athens in August.

She believes anything is possible after coming through and gaining strength from a traumatic 16 months.

Lisa stunned herself when she swept into Great Britain's 4x100 metre freestyle relay team at last week's trials in Sheffield.

She will team up with Karen Pickering, from Hove, Mel Marshall and Kathyrn Evans.

She said: "I was hoping I would make the squad and convinced myself to stay positive for the competition.

But, at the back of my mind, I didn't know if it would be possible."

This was hardly surprising because she only resumed her swimming career in February 2003 after a self-enforced two-year absence. Four months later her father John was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Lisa then broke her hand falling down a flight of stairs at Christmas and, after returning to the pool in the New Year, found out that her dad had suffered a relapse.

It seemed the Olympic torch she had carried since the age of four had gone out.

But, thanks to the support of her family, boyfriend and coach, she is going to Athens.

She said: "I am in France with the British Olympic swimming team beginning our warm-up for Athens.

"It means so much to be a part of it. It is a dream come true. There's nothing more exciting than representing your country at the biggest competition there is in your sport.

"I'm only 19 and have had to cope with the massive high of going to Athens and the low of my dad being in hospital.

"When I found out my dad had leukaemia it put a massive strain on me. Hopefully he will get a transplant as soon as possible.

"I always dreamed that if I made the team my mum and dad would be there to see it. My dad wasn't. Depending on the time of the transplant, he might not be able to watch me at the Olympics.

"Having to be away from my family for the first time to train has been another low I've struggled to deal with.

"My head's been all over the place."

Lisa has battled against all sorts of problems during the last 16 months.

She quit the sport at 16 after a personality clash with a coach at Hastings Seagull club.

She said: "I wasn't enjoying training. It became an obligation. I didn't see eye to eye with my club coach. It was a hassle.

"My boyfriend at the time never understood my swimming. I'd go on an international trip and the last thing I needed was my boyfriend stressing out at me over the phone. It was hard enough being away from home."

A calming influence is her new French boyfriend Quentin Lahana, who is also swimming in Dunkirk.

"We've been going out for five months and he has been a tower of strength. He has kept me sane and helps me through the tough times when I'm not with my family.

"I would not have got to the trials without him, although my current coach Ian Armiger has been brilliant."

Lisa hopes to be selected for next month's European Championships, the last major event before she attends a holding camp in Cyprus prior to Athens.

She said: "It gives the four girls in the relay team experience and time together. The team is a mixture of people and personalities and I think will get a medal."

She hopes her dad will be there to see it. "He wouldn't want to miss that for the world."