Salisbury swimmer Dave Savage, who will be taking part in next year's Athens Olympics. Picture: DAVID SMITH DA1007P4THE Olympic dream is about to come true for a Salisbury swimmer when he lines up to put his tiny Pacific homeland firmly on the sporting map.

Kiribati is making its debut in the prestigious games next summer - and for Dave Savage, who was born in the islands, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Each new Olympic nation may enter the track and pool events, irrespective of whether they meet the qualifying times and, as the fastest swimmer from the remote country, Dave will be competing in Athens against the world's best.

The swimmer, who moved to England when he was two years old, has embarked on an intensive training programme at Salisbury's LA Fitness and Five Rivers leisure centre.

"It will be such an honour - to compete in the Olympics is every sportsman's dream," said Dave. "It's a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness of Kiribati and its sporting talent."

The 32-year-old, who lives in Jubilee Drive, is more used to competing in triathlons, and he represented Kiribati in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester last year.

"Unfortunately, I got a puncture in both tyres in the cycling stage and it ruined my race," he said. "But I got a real taste for the big events, and going to Athens, the home of the Olympics, will be fantastic."

Dave is training for the 1,500m freestyle and, although he expects to finish several minutes after the world best time of 14min 30sec, he said just taking part will make him feel like a winner.

"I'm swimming 16 hours a week and doing weights, so I'm taking it seriously, but I know I haven't got a hope of winning," he said. "But it's important that I do my best to represent my country."

Most famed for being the nation where the sun first rose at the new millennium, Kiribati comprises 30 islands, including Tarawa and Christmas Island.

Dave visits his homeland as often as possible and says the islanders will be racing to get behind their Olympic heroes.

"They don't have televisions, so they won't be able to watch us, but they've just got the internet, so they can keep up to date on that," he said.

"I might have spent most of my life here but I still feel Kiribati is my home and I'll be very proud to represent them."