KUALA LUMPUR: Swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean grew up idolising American great Missy Franklin Johnson and dreamed of making it to the Olympics one day.
And his dream is set to come true at the Paris Olympics after getting a men's 400m freestyle wild card.
Johnson is a five-time Olympic champion and has 11 world championship gold medals in her impressive trophy cabinet.
"Competing at the Olympics is a childhood dream for me. Growing up, I watched my idol Missy Franklin on TV competing at the Olympics and winning gold. She really inspired me," said Hoe Yean.
"The first time I went to a swim meet at eight years old, I told my mum I was going to go to the Olympics one day, and it has been my absolute goal since then."
To prepare for his Olympic debut, Hoe Yean trained in Brisbane, Australia, at the start of the year alongside world class swimmers including the likes of Samuel Short, the 2023 world champion in the 400m freestyle.
The Kuala Lumpur-born set a new national record of three minutes and 48.36 seconds in the 400m freestyle during the Australian Open, and he is keen to further lower it in Paris.
"I set that record in Australia and I believe I can beat it in Paris," said Hoe Yean.
"Hopefully I can get faster each week and be able to achieve my target in Paris."
Hoe Yean is in Ireland this week for a final training camp before heading to Paris just before the opening ceremony on July 26.