Jake Tyson admitted his behind-the-scenes taste of the London 2012 Olympic venues was a bittersweet one – but he refused to be downhearted after a few days to remember in the capital.

The 14-year-old swimmer got a taste of the London Olympic venues two months before the world’s best athletes converge on the capital as part of the Sainsbury’s School Games, backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England.

Tyson represented England East at the London Aquatics Centre and, despite battling illness in the build-up, he certainly didn’t disappoint – taking bronze in the 200m individual medley in a time of 2.14.53 minutes.

The Team Ipswich swimmer thus climbed the same podium the likes of Rebecca Adlington will be looking to appear on for Great Britain later this year.

But the Copleston High School pupil admitted while the experience was one to remember, his performance in the water left him wondering what might have been.

“I feel okay coming away with the medal but I didn’t get a personal best which was unhelpful,” said Tyson, who also helped England East win 800m freestyle team gold.

“But I guess you can’t do it all the time and so I have to be pleased with a medal.

“I was hoping for a bit more but I have been a bit ill for the past two weeks so it isn’t the best thing to happen to you when you are going into a meet and preparing for it. But it is just one of those things I suppose.

“Still, the experience is good and it helps with a bit of a boost to still come away with a medal even if it wasn’t my best swim.

“The noise of the place was absolutely amazing and thinking how it is going to be at the Olympics is great.”

And after getting a taste of the Games atmosphere Tyson immediately set his sights on one day appearing at an Olympics proper.

However the 14-year-old is well aware some hard graft awaits before he can dream of being in such lofty company.

“Hopefully I’ll be there if I keep training hard one day,” he added. “I would love to be there.

“I’m training for the national championships so I’m hoping to do well at them – also I hope that I am well for that event.”

The Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games was held at the Olympic Park and other venues from 6-9 May 2012 with school-aged elite athletes competing across 12 sports.

Visit www.2012schoolgames.com for more information.