Bronze medal: Davies smashed the European record for his win

The 19-year-old from Barry clinched the bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle on Saturday - and his talent was praised by the gold medal winner in the race.

Davies said he is now determined to go to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

But he said he hopes his win will encourage other Welsh teenagers to try for a place in the swimming elite.

Davies, one of just two British swimmers to land medals in Athens, finished his race within striking distance of celebrated Australian Grant Hackett.

The gold medal winner has since tipped his Welsh rival as a possible future Olympic champion.

On the Beijing road: Davies wants to be at the 2008 Games

But Davies told BBC Wales: "The sad thing for me is that I still have to race Grant for the next four years.

"I remember watching him when I was about 13, thinking 'I'm never ever going to beat this guy', so to be in a race with him is a huge experience for me."

Yet Davies is hopeful others will see that they, too, may be able to strike out for Olympic glory.

He said: "There are lot of young, keen swimmers in Wales.

"Hopefully a few of them will get their trunks out and get down to the pool.

"If they stick to the hard work and enjoy it - that's all I did - they can definitely go for it."

Davies smashed the British and European records, clocking 14 minutes 45.90 seconds to achieve his place on the podium.

He said: "I want to go to Beijing because this has been fantastic and I definitely want to do it again.

"I guess the road to Beijing starts now."

The 36-strong British Olympic team will check out of the athletes' village in Athens on Wednesday and fly directly to Manchester for a four-day competition which starts the following day.