Australian swimming great Emma McKeon says she feels mentally refreshed ahead of the Paris Olympics after needing time to recharge following her successful Tokyo campaign.
McKeon admitted her mental energy "wavered a bit" when she took a break after the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
She won four gold medals in Tokyo but was emotionally fatigued for several reasons, including the uncertainty about whether the Games would go ahead amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The International Olympic Committee had postponed the 2020 Games by 12 months.
McKeon had time away from competitive swimming after Tokyo.
She bypassed last year's world championships in Budapest, but did return to the pool for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games where she claimed eight medals, including six gold.
She also contested December's world short-course championships in Melbourne, collecting four gold as part of a seven-medal haul.
McKeon said she did take a while to regain her drive after the Tokyo Games.
"It's hard to come back with that same energy after you've been on such a high, especially after the preparation for the last Olympics," she told ABC Sport.
"That was so long, and up and down, [we were] unsure whether it was going to go ahead.
"So, it was quite hard to come back with that same kind of energy and motivation."
McKeon said she felt motivated knowing the Paris Olympics would be held in 2024.
"I'm glad it's next year and not a few years down the track," the five-time Olympic gold medallist said.
"I still feel like Tokyo was only last year, so it's come around very quick. It's also really motivating not having such a long preparation, as usually there is four years between Olympics.
"So, it's kind of less overwhelming and I think for me it's been more motivating coming up sooner rather than later."
McKeon claimed gold in the 50 and 100 metres freestyle events in Tokyo, in addition to helping Australia win two relays.
She also picked up three bronze medals, which included her podium finish in the 100m butterfly.
The 28-year-old said she would "keep training for the same events" at this stage of her preparations for this year's world championships in Fukuoka and the Paris Olympics.
