Emma Eaves was just 12 years old when she became a contender for this year's Olympic Games.

For most youngsters of her age, the closest involvement with the world's premier sports event is alongside friends and family in front of the television.

But this week Emma, who lives in Portslade, will compete in swimming trials at Sheffield where she will try and secure a place in the British team for Athens.

She cemented her place at the trials with a superb performance in the 100m butterfly at the Southern County Championships last November.

The precociously talented Brighton youngster likes girl pop bands and shopping for clothes but her greatest passion is swimming.

That is why she gets up at 4.50am for early morning training sessions at the Prince Regent swimming pool in Brighton.

Emma is unlikely to cramp the style of Britain's senior swimmers at Sheffield even though she has qualified for the 200m butterfly, 400m individual medley, 100m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

But racing alongside greats like Karen Pickering, Sarah Price and Katy Sexton will be an experience Emma will never forget.

More importantly, she will discover whether she has the potential to rise to the big occasion.

Winning a clutch of Sussex titles is one thing, proving you can be a world-class performer in the pool is another.

Even at her tender age, she turned 13 on December 31, Emma seems unfazed.

She said: "I will be in good company and up against top swimmers who I know now will go through. I will do my best and see where it gets me.

"I'll probably stare at famous faces like Karen, Sarah and Katy before each race. I'll be thinking 'I saw her on telly and now I'm racing her'. I'll be nervous and excited. But it will be nice to think I've earned the right to be swimming against them.

"It should be a big learning experience for me. I will discover what standard I'm at and how I react to the atmosphere on big occasions.

"The next time I am in a similar situation, it won't be such a shock."

Her preparation at Sheffield will be thorough and even include what to wear.

Emma said: "I'll swim in a body suit, not for any physical advantage but because most Olympic swimmers wear them. It will make me feel more like one of them."

She began the familiarisation-with-the-famous process at High Wycombe in February when she competed against Olympic and world championship competitor Pickering, from Hove. They both share Shiverers as a former club.

Emma said: "I looked over at her before the start. I felt small next to her. She wasn't speaking to anybody. Karen had her head down and was totally focused. I was in lane one and she was in three. I couldn't believe I was there swimming against someone like her. I was down the field and she won but I picked up a few tips studying her preparation.

"Karen is a big inspiration because I know she came from where I started and, hopefully, I can follow her."

Emma fast-tracked her way to Sheffield with some outstanding national results.

She first made her mark as a nine-year-old swimming a year up at the Sussex Championships.

The first big clue to her potential came during her first year in the National Age Group Championships. As an 11-year-old, she won a silver medal in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 200m freestyle.

Last year she repeated her silver success and won bronze in the 100m butterfly. She said: "I wasn't expecting to do so well in my first nationals so I was very pleased.

"To show I could do well in an another stroke the following year was good for my confidence."

Her Olympic trial qualifying swims show she has continued her swift progress.

It is partly because she puts in the time and effort. She trains Monday to Friday and competes most weekends.

She responds well to the motivational and technical qualities of Brighton Club coach Nigel Currucan, who also coaches Sussex.

Emma said: "My mates outside swimming thought I was crazy getting up at 4.50am twice a week and working hard to improve.

"But they've got used to the idea now. They appreciate why I want to do it.

"The reason is that, although I might be missing a social life outside swimming, I don't want to have any regrets. I want to look back and know I've done the best I can in my sport."

The Cardinal Newman pupil has a clear goal.

She said: "I've got my hopes and dreams of going to the Olympics one day. I'll carry on training, stay focused and see what happens."