The year 2013 was special for Poliana Okimoto. Voted female athlete of the year at the Brazilian Olympic Awards, the long-distance swimmer won three medals at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona, including gold in the Olympic 10km marathon event.

Now Okimoto is looking ahead, two years. Having appeared at two Olympic Games – Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – the 30-year-old from São Paulo state knows that, despite her recent good results, she needs to maintain her level of preparation in 2014, a year in which she will compete in stages of the world cup and the grand prix, so she can shine at the Rio 2016 Games.

“Athletes aren’t made overnight,” she said. “In order to make it to a competition like the Olympic Games, we have a very large training cycle. The Games may still be very far away, but the goal already exists. In my case, this means four years of training with a single competition or a single event in mind. From the first day of training until the day of the competition, the focus is the same. Every day is important. And they go by quickly.”

Poliana’s next major goal is to ensure her place at the Rio 2016 Games through qualifiers that will take place in the next few years.

“I try to take it one step at a time. We still have the qualifiers and I must be among the first 10. It will be very difficult. Competing in the Olympic Games at home is my greatest dream. Being able to win a medal at home is an opportunity that not everyone has. Therefore, I must be totally focused.”

A swimmer used to competing in many different places around the world, the Brazilian does not have a doubt the Rio 2016 Games will be characterised by a joyful atmosphere.

“The Brazilian people are very welcoming, lively and fun. That makes a lot of difference. I travel the world and I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t smile when I say I am Brazilian. We’re already known for our way of life.”