ADAM Peaty has the opportunity to round off a spectacular season by adding a world crown to his glittering array of titles this week.
The City of Derby swimmer will be in action in Doha, the capital of Qatar, at the World Short Course Championships, starting tomorrow, when he takes on the best breaststroke swimmers on the planet.
Already the holder of the 50m long course world record, the 19-year-old from Uttoxeter starts among the favourites to claim another medal.
Peaty, who has been nominated for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award, has already competed against – and beaten – the finest swimmers in the Commonwealth and Europe.
This time around, the opposition will include athletes from the United States, South America and China – but he hopes he can sneak under the radar as he takes another step into the unknown.
He has made no special preparations for the event and has not interrupted his heavy winter training schedule, his attitude being very much one of "turn up, race and see how it all pans out".
"It has been an amazing year and it would be nice to round it off with a top-three place in Doha," said Peaty.
"I am a long course swimmer, really, but this will give me the chance to hone my skills, my starts, turns and pull-outs from turns, although I haven't made any special preparations and haven't interrupted my winter training schedule.
"I start on Wednesday with the 100m, then the 200m and finally the 50m. In between, I'll be competing in the relays.
"I think I may have a good shot at the 100m and 50m but I'm not so sure about the 200m, which is not really my event.
"It will be a case of turning up and seeing how it goes but it will all add to my experience."
Peaty hit the headlines by winning two gold medals at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley relay, along with a silver in the 50m breaststroke.
More success came his way at the European Championships in Berlin, where he won four more golds – in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and 4x100m medley and mixed medley relays – and also set a world record in the 50m event by clocking 26.62secs.
His excellent form also saw him become the first British swimmer to dip under 59 seconds for the 100m breaststroke and claim the British titles over 50m and 100m.
Having hit all the major targets he set for himself this year, any further success will be regarded as a bonus – especially as the 25m pool length does not suit him as well as the 50m used for most major championships including the Olympics.
Neither does his name appear in the current world short course rankings for the breaststroke events and his coach at City of Derby, Mel Marshall, is at pains to defuse expectations.
She said: "We are not expecting anything from these championships and Adam is actually quicker over long course than short course.
"He doesn't have a short course time this season. But it would be a nice way to round off his year, which has been one he will always remember."
Peaty will be accompanied by his mum, Caroline, and his coach to the Sports Personality of the Year event, where he will appear alongside newly-crowned world Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and golf superstar Rory McIlroy.
A confirmed car enthusiast, Peaty follows F1 and says it will be an honour to rub shoulders with the likes of Hamilton.
He said: "I love cars and I follow F1, although I don't really have the time to get into it completely. Lewis was amazing this year and it will be great to be seen on the same programme as him."
A double take is still required when Peaty reflects on his magnificent season.
He said: "It has been amazing. I can't put into words how to describe it. The success is down to my coach (Mel) and the group I am training with. They have all helped me.
"The hard work last winter allowed me to get there. Being nominated for the SPOTY is a fine way to cap it. I'm extremely proud of the nomination.
"The highlights of the year were the win in the 100m and the 50m world record. I couldn't really believe beating world champion Cameron Van Der Burgh and it was one of those moments that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
"To be the fastest man in history is incredible."
CITY of Derby duo Danielle Lowe and Harriet Cooper have been selected to represent GB in the Flanders Cup early next year, while disability athlete Lewis White has been competing at the World Schools Championships in Brazil.
He recently took gold medals in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle and the 100m backstroke and 1200m breaststroke at the national championships.
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