Australia's Olympic swimmers have descended on enemy territory and coaching staff will leave no stone unturned in Manchester this week to ensure they are primed for battle in London.
The bulk of Australia's 45-strong swimming squad - including spearhead James Magnussen - has arrived in England's north-west, with the last 18 members of the team to arrive on Tuesday for the final training camp before the London Games competition starts on July 28.
While the camp represents a chance to collectively fine-tune, most of the hard training work has already been done.
But head coach Leigh Nugent emphasised the importance of this week and said attention to small details could make big differences in London.
"Obviously the energy that's derived from being together this week is very important for the cohesion in your team, but it's probably more about the little things like acclimatisation," Nugent told AAP on Sunday.
"Things like time zone changes, there's not so much of a difference in the weather here (from Australia), but just adjusting from the travel initially and then being able to pick up with your training work and continuing it on until next week.
"... The other thing really is trying to settle and focus on the details of the preparation and be away from distractions at home."
As well as getting comfortable in their surroundings, athletes will work under the squad's specialist nutritionist and three scientists, who will scrutinise things like their starting and turning techniques.
Despite a bad flu season in Australia, Nugent reported a clean bill of health among his arrived athletes.
But Nugent said illness prevention would also be a key focus of the camp.
"It's a risky time in this taper period, when you're trying to reduce your workload you get these changes in your immune system and you can be a bit susceptible to illness," he said.
"... They'll have to be vigilant in what they do with regards to personal hygiene."
Nugent said all of the squad's food would be prepared under the close supervision of the squad's dietitian.
The coach remained upbeat about Australia's preparations despite world rankings indicating the Dolphins could be set for their lowest Olympic swimming medal haul since Atlanta 1996.
Australia has only two swimmers ranked first in their individual events this year in Magnussen (100m freestyle) and Stephanie Rice (200IM) but Nugent is banking on the fact several others have come on significantly since the national trials.
"I believe that many of our athletes are in a better position to perform than they were at trials and that's an encouraging sign," Nugent said.
"... But we're realistic ... and we'd never ever underestimate our opposition."
