By Charlie Bennett at La Defense Arena

Abbie Wood fired a warning shot to her rivals ahead of the 200m individual medley final by insisting she will go out all guns blazing.

The Buxton swimmer finished fourth in the second semi-final but was still quicker than everyone from the first and has achieved the target she set for herself pre-Games.

Wood is unlikely to be among the medal favourites for Saturday’s race but is certainly capable of contending and, after getting the job done in Paris, she is playing with house money.

“I’m at my best when I’m relaxed and I’ll definitely be going into that final relaxed,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ve got nothing to lose now. It’s a lot more of a relaxing day, off the back of the relay and then the double, having the morning off and just relaxing will be my greatest advantage.

“Qualifying is a big weight off my shoulders. I knew it was such a competitive final to get in with a handful of Olympic champions, world champions, world record holders.

“So to be in there again after doing it in Tokyo, I’m really happy. Hopefully I can keep moving it on through the rounds.”

Wood was poolside to see teammate Ben Proud win his first Olympic medal at his third Games in the men’s 50m freestyle final, and then Duncan Scott in the men’s 200 IM.

And she says it can inspire her to match their performance and bag Team GB’s sixth medal to go along with the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay gold, and further silvers for Adam Peaty in the men’s 100m breaststroke and Matt Richards in the 100m freestyle.

“I was watching them throughout my warm-up," added Wood, one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

"Seeing Ben [Proud] get his first Olympic medal, we kind of hung back at the holding camp together because we were later in the week.

“To see that he could hold himself throughout the time we had made me realise I can as well. Him and Duncan pulled it out of the bag and I just wanted to keep it going.

“I know I am capable, I showed that tonight. It was weird because it was basically the top four in my semi-final.

“I’d rather be in that one than the other because I might not have pushed as hard and thought I would make it easily and messed it up. It was what I needed and I was glad I was in it.”

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for Good Causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk