BEIJING spins through gymnast Ashleigh Brennan's mind even when she breaks from training for her first Olympic Games.

On a rare morning off last week she went to the circus in Sydney, only to discover that Cirque du Soleil's latest show was inspired by Chinese dance and culture.

The bus arrived back at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra at 3am, but Brennan was back in the gym early that same afternoon.

"If you want a privilege like that you have to train really hard," she says. "Training for the Olympics is the main priority, but at the same time you need to be able to rest the mind and body so when you come back to the gym you're not already exhausted."

By her bed is a copy of Mao's Last Dancer, the bestselling autobiography of a Chinese ballet dancer, Li Cunxin.

Brennan, 17, likes to read, watch Friends DVDs or sleep between training sessions. Yet when she closes her eyes, her Olympics routine plays out in her head.

She pictures her main rivals from China and the United States in her mind as motivation to train harder.

"To keep up with them, I have to put in the hard work," she says.

Her training sessions are more intense as the Olympics draw close.

In mock competitions before judges she runs through every twist and turn she will perform in Beijing. Every little wobble or points deduction is noted for her next workout.

Brennan's coach, Mikhail Barabach, a former Russian national coach, says it is crucial she stay focused in Beijing.

"The Olympics are emotional and special," he says. "But what we try to protect our gymnasts from is emotion, because they must have a free head. It's tough, but it's all about working and improving."

Swimmer Matt Targett, 22, feels his time to improve is nearing its end. He leaves Melbourne late tonight for training camps in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, before going to Beijing. His last week at home was spent perfecting his dive in the 100-metre freestyle using underwater cameras at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

"This really is the end of my preparation, my last chance to get things right," he says.

To do that he must likely beat compatriot Eamon Sullivan and Frenchman Alain Bernard, the 100-metre world record holder. But he is not thinking about who will be in the other lanes in Beijing.

His family will drive him from their Hawthorn home to the airport for his flight to Singapore tonight. His father, Steve, mother Vera and sister Lisa, 17, will fly to Beijing next month.

Mr Targett will hug his son when he says goodbye, knowing the next time he might see him is on the starting blocks.