David Davies hopes to go better than silver and bronze in 2012

Olympic silver medallist David Davies is to return to Wales as he prepares for the London 2012 Olympics.

Barry-born Davies, 25, moved training bases to Loughborough in 2007 in an attempt to boost his hopes at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

But now he is teaming up again with former coach Dave Haller in Cardiff.

"I have found this year tough in terms of my performance both in competitions and in training and I knew that I needed to make a change," said Davies.

"There are two years until London and I know that in order to be ready to succeed in 2012 I need to change my surroundings. I have always had a huge amount of respect for Dave.

"He is the coach that took me from an inexperienced swimmer to an Olympic medallist when I was 19.

"The City of Cardiff Swimming Club has always remained close to my heart; it was the club I grew up with.

"I believe that re-locating to Cardiff will help me with my preparations for the Olympics and I look forward to beginning my training in the new pool in the city.

"I really enjoyed my time in Loughborough. The facilities and the environment have helped me move on to the next level of my career and helped me develop my skills in Open Water swimming.

"I appreciate everything that Kev Renshaw has done for me and I will always respect him for his support."

Davies suffered Olympic 1500m freestyle final heartbreak in 2008 after finishing outside the medals, meaning he could not better his bronze of 2004.

But he did go on to win silver in the men's 10km swim on open water.

Since then, Davies has found it tough going and was forced to withdraw from the British Championships 1500m freestyle event in March this year with with physical exhaustion.

But he is still expected to defend his 1500m Commonwealth Games freestyle crown when the Games are held in Delhi in October.

British Swimming national performance director Michael Scott said: "David has my full support with his return to Wales and the world class programme will continue to support him with his preparation over the next two years in the lead-up to the London Games.

"David has had a very successful career to date due to his commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the sport and he will continue to receive the support from British Swimming as all of our athletes prepare for the next benchmark meet in our quadrennial plan."

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