Veteran Foster considers 2012 bid

Mark Foster has competed at five Olympic Games (GETTY)

Veteran short-course swimmer Mark Foster is not ready to call time on his sparkling career and could still target the London Olympics in 2012.

The 38-year-old told BBC London 94.9: "I'd love to do London. I'm not going to say no to anything at the moment.

"The kid inside me wants to carry on. Long-term, I might be there in 2012.

"I've got 47 international medals. I'd love to get to 50. Whether it means going to an Olympics or the European Championships next year, let's see."

Foster, who was born in Billericay and swims for the University of Bath, initially retired in 2006 but returned to competitive action a year later with the aim of winning a medal at the Beijing Olympics in August 2008.

He was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony but could only finish 23rd in the 50m freestyle heats.

And despite appearances at five Games, an Olympic medal continues to elude him.

Swimming has never been the be all and end all to me. As much as its been my job, it's my occupation Mark Foster

Foster's immediate future will see him compete on hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing but he says he wants to stay in swimming as a consultant even if he does stop competing himself.

"I've sort of side-stepped swimming at the moment," he added.

"I'm doing Strictly Come Dancing until I'm knocked out. Hopefully that will be Christmas time - I want to stay in as long as possible.

"I'm enjoying that and I enjoy distractions away from swimming. It has never been the be all and end all to me, as much as its been my job, it's my occupation and there's sponsors that pay me to do it.

"There's nothing more I like than standing on a block - I love the buzz of racing against other people and testing myself against other people."

"But I've looked after a couple of swimmers over the last two or three years and I get a real buzz when I've got someone's life in my hands.

"It's huge pressure but I get more nervous when they go out and race than I do for myself.

"I take a lot of pride in what goes on and how they perform because the bottom line is that it is their life - they want to make the Olympic Games and they want to make the World Championships.

"With the experience that I've gained over 23 years on the national team, it is stupid to let it go to waste."