TOM Mules refuses to give up on his Olympic dream, despite being sidelined for the whole of 2012.

The talented swimmer is currently nursing a knee injury and although he hopes to return to training in the next few months, the 16-year-old is unable to compete until next February.

However, the Tornadoes of South Dorset member is doubly determined to realise his ambition of competing in the Olympic Games, especially having narrowly missed out on achieving a qualifying time for the recent Olympic Trials in London.

Swimming the 50m freestyle at the Bath Grand Prix in November, the Wey Valley pupil came within a second of the time needed to make the selection process for London 2012.

Asked if he still harbours hopes of representing Great Britain on the biggest stage, Mules said: “Definitely. That was my aim before I damaged my knee and if I train hard I’m sure I can make it.

“I’m 16 at the moment so I’ll be 20 in 2016, so I could aim for the Games in Rio.

“I almost got the Olympic trial time a little while ago but I missed out by a second.

“If I had been within the time I would have taken part in the trials in London. However, I injured my knee in December so even if I had hit the time I wouldn’t have been able to compete.

“Hopefully though, I will only get quicker. I really want to get back in the pool but I’ve got to take it easy and not rush it.”

Further discussing his injury, the former national champion in the 100m freestyle added: “I snapped my cruciate ligament while skiing on holiday.

“I had an operation a few weeks ago and I’m currently on crutches, which isn’t much fun.”

Despite the setback, Mules has plenty to look forward to this summer.

“It’s going to be a strange year for me,” admits the teenager. “I won’t be able to race but I am going to start training in a few months.

“However, February next year is the first time I’ll be able to race again so I have got to start slowly and not rush into anything.

“I just need to try and get my fitness back.

“I have got other things to look forward to though, carrying the Olympic Torch being the main one obviously.

“I’ll be carrying it on July 13 and although I don’t know the exact location as yet, it should be between Portland Bill and the sailing academy.

“You have to be nominated for it and I got an email saying I had been nominated and then another a couple of months later saying I would be carrying the torch, which was exciting.

“I’ll also be doing volunteer work at the National School Games in May and I’m really looking forward to seeing the Olympic Stadium.

“It’ll also be good to watch the Olympics on TV. I did try to get tickets for the swimming but unfortunately I didn’t get any.”

Commenting on his introduction to the water some 12 years ago, Mules said: “I’ve been swimming since I was four so I’ve been doing it for ages.

“It started when my mum took me to lessons and although I used to hate going at first, my mum said I had to learn how to swim properly.

“I then started doing competitions and winning races so I enjoyed it more and more.”

And once he returns to full fitness in 2013, no doubt Mules will enjoy plenty more success.