London 2012 remain the ultimate goal for Simmonds and her teammates but it is the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) European Swimming Championships in Berlin in July that take precedence for the British team this season.

The first qualification event for the European Championships is the British Swimming Championships which take place at the Manchester Aquatics Centre next month.

John Atkinson, the British Disability Swimming National Performance Director, claimed camp in Qatar was vital for getting the team into the best possible condition ahead of the British Swimming Championships and for avoiding the negatives of a cold UK winter.

Atkinson told insideworldparasport: "The purpose of the camp was to provide our podium athletes with the opportunity to train in a good climate and environment and be away from the illnesses that are common in the UK throughout winter.

"The athletes have been able to build on their winter training with the full support of the programme staff and allow themselves to be more prepared for the season ahead.

"They have just completed the first of the two week camp and it has been extremely successful with swimmers and coaches both enjoying the world class facilities."

Simmonds added that she is excited about competing at the 2011 IPC European Championships as she slowly starts to allow herself to think about London 2012 glory.

She said: "The Europeans are this year so I'm working towards the trials in March where hopefully I'll qualify.

"Hopefully I'll defend my titles in Berlin and swim the best I can.

"Then after that my focus will be on London 2012.

"We're going to have such a lot of pressure on us – not just me but the whole GB team.

"Being the home nation brings that pressure but hopefully I'll with it well and do the country proud."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]