SOUTHAMPTON'S Commonwealth Games gold medallist diver Pete Waterfield admits he's not hunting medals in the World Championships which start this weekend.

Waterfield is in Barcelona along with the rest of the British squad chasing glory in the pool based high on the mountain of Montjuic overlooking the Catalan capital.

The 22-year-old was front page Daily Echo news last July when he claimed Commonwealth gold in the 10m platform synchro along with Sheffield's Leon Taylor.

But it's not the medals which are important this time.

The World Championships are the first of only two events from which Waterfield can qualify for next year's Olympics in Greece. The second is in the World Cup early next year.

"The main thing is to qualify for the Olympics," said the Walthamstow-born Waterfield who trains at The Quays complex in Southampton. "That's all I'm after - anything else is a bonus."

The divers finishing in the top 12 in Barcelona will qualify their country in that event while those competing in the synchronised events will have to finish in the top eight to qualify for Athens 2004.

The main competition that wasn't in action in Manchester will be the Chinese. The Americans are also competing but are currently ranked below the Brits.

Waterfield is taking part in the 10m platform at individual level and in the synchro alongside Taylor in Barcelona, from where he arrived after a six-day training camp with the rest of the British squad in Seville.

Waterfield and Taylor finished fourth at the Sydney Games in 2000 and admits the experience of one of the most memorable Olympics in recent times makes him ultra determined to qualify for Athens.

"As it was my first Olympics I was just going for experience, and it was great," he recalled. "We just missed out on a medal by three points, but I really enjoyed the whole atmosphere.

"We have a second chance to qualify next February but it will be easier and put me under less pressure if I can qualify at the Worlds."

Waterfield admits he is "feeling in great shape" and explained: "I didn't start the year too well.

"I was trying too hard, thinking about what I was doing too much. Hopefully I've sorted all that out now - it was certainly more of a mental thing than a technique thing.

"I've been pleased with my form and the Worlds have come at a good time for me."

Waterfield hasn't tinkered with his regular training regime ahead of the Worlds, and before he left for Seville was doing his regular six-day week.

That involves morning and afternoon sessions at the Quays five days a week plus one session on a Sunday, in addition to weights a couple of times a week and regular stretching and flexibility exercises.

Taylor, like his synchro colleague, is also bidding for Olympic qualification.

"That has been my only goal since my fourth place in Sydney. Glory in Athens is what has driven me on since 2000," he said.

"The whole British diving set-up is just going from strength to strength. Last year was great but this year has just been fantastic across all events.

"Team morale is high and it will be a strong squad that will be contesting medals in Barcelona."