Jazz Carlin: Wales' Euro 2016 heroes have inspired me ahead of Rio Olympics

Wales gave everything at the Euros. They played without fear and just went for it in every match.

It would be disrespectful to say the players surprised me but I am amazed at how well they’ve done. I feel so proud watching my nation and seeing how much they want something.

My cousin was out there for a few games, so I was able to live it through him. He sent a video of him crying after the Belgium win — that’s how much it means to people — and with Rio on the horizon there’s a lot I can take from it in terms of competing without fear and giving absolutely everything.

We’re in the last heavy two-week training block and I’m swimming the equivalent of two marathons a week. It’s hard but it’s a vital last leg before we head to our holding camp and get ready to take on the world in Rio. Kitting out last week was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. You turn up and basically get given your own personal shopper. As someone who loves shopping, it’s an experience I could get used to.

As part of that, Aldi challenged us to take the best video or selfie, so I had the idea of ‘swimming’ up the check-out counter, trusting that the lady at the till would press the button to stop the belt before I fell off the end!

I’ve also raced for the last time before Rio out in Vichy, although the Euros marginally got in the way of that, too, with one race scheduled for the morning after the Belgium win.

With the manner of the win, I found myself so pumped up at full-time I had to take a while to calm down. My next race, though, is my first Olympics and the only feeling I really have right now is one of excitement.