David Davies celebrates his silver at the Olympics' first open water event

Double Olympic medallist David Davies may end his ambitions of 1500m glory at the London 2012 Olympics and instead go for gold in the open water event.

The Welsh swimmer said: "I want to win gold. I've got a bronze, I've got a silver - I may as well aim for gold.

"If that means sacrificing 1500 to have a better chance in the open water I would do it."

If Davies drops the 1500m, the World Championships in Rome could be his last chance to land a global pool title.

Barry-born Davies, 24, has won three bronze medals in the 1500m freestyle at Olympic and world level as well as a silver in the open water in Beijing.

But he was sixth in the 1500m freestyle in Beijing, prompting him to assess his future in the event.

606: DEBATE Can Davies win gold in 2012?

Working with coach Kevin Renshaw, Davies has struck a plan that will see him continue in the pool until the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where he plans to defend his 1500m title.

Opposition will be provided by Olympic bronze medallist Ryan Cochrane, the Canadian who finished three places and almost 10 seconds ahead of Davies at the Games.

And the Loughborough swimmer admits Delhi could be a pivotal moment in his career.

He said: "I really want to challenge in the 1500m, I really want to go for two golds.

"If the result against Ryan Cochrane or the time is where I can't see I can make up that much ground in the remaining 18 months into 2012 then it will be a very hard decision.

I am going to go through a lot of pain but it's part of the package David Davies

"But I probably will say 'look let's leave the pool and put all our eggs in one basket for the open water'.

"I don't want that to happen but that is the plan because everything I do is geared for 2012."

Davies' training regime has undergone drastic change since the Beijing Games and the Rome event, which starts on Sunday, 27 July is a chance to assess his progress.

He said: "The World Championships are good for me only being a year into the regime.

"It is going to take a while for all the different foundations to get working, but it's a good little checkpoint on the way to see if I can get there in three years time.

"I know it's going to be a tough week.

"I don't feel pressure. Especially after last year not getting a medal in the pool I think a lot of people have written me off.

"This year I am just enjoying the changes I've made and seeing where I am with it.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to win medals but I'm quite relaxed coming into it."

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