British swimming star David Davies won an Olympic bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Over the coming months on 606, David will be providing an insight into his preparations for the Bejing Games later this year.

This is the year when I could start living the dream.

I’ve experienced some great highs in my short sporting life but 2008 could never be beaten if I strike gold at this summer’s Olympics in Beijing and Cardiff City reach the FA Cup final.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of achieving two things; being crowned Olympic champion and watching the City at Wembley in a cup final.

While I firmly believe I can win the Olympics, not in my wildest thoughts did I imagine Cardiff could be playing in an FA Cup final when I went down to watch my first City

game in the old Fourth Division against Scarborough or someone similarly glamorous. I can’t remember the exact opponent as I was only 10 or 11 when my dad took me down to Ninian Park. All I do recall is the overwhelming smell of greasy burgers and Bovril.

It was an arctic night in Cardiff as the rain lashed down and I got drenched standing on the Bob Bank terrace, but as sadistic as it may sound, I loved it.

At the time, it was a struggle to remain in the Football League, but I kept going back with dad and later with the boys in hope rather than in expectation.

So to be in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley is mind-blowing when you put our recent history in perspective. We’ve certainly come a long way since Cambridge and Exeter away, no offence.

The unfortunate thing for me is that despite having two tickets for Sunday’s memorable, never-to-be-forgotten FA Cup occasion, I can’t go.

Gutted isn’t a strong enough word but that is the sacrifice I must make if I’m to add an Olympic gold to my Commonwealth success.

If Cardiff beat Barnsley, sorry when Cardiff beat Barnsley, nothing will stop me going to the final.

I’ve read about City’s 1927 FA Cup-winning team and they’re absolute legends. I’d have to be there if we reach another final.

If we play like we did against Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals, I can’t see why we won’t be going to Wembley for a second time this season.

The 2-0 win at The Riverside was built on our defensive platform, who have been immense over the last few weeks.

Roger Johnson and Glenn Loovens have both been a rock for City and we miss them when they’re not around, and our full-back Kevin McNaughton is an unsung hero.

Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Peter Whittingham have hogged the headlines but McNaughton has probably been my player of the season.

Young Ramsey, though, was superb in our fifth round game against Wolves. It is amazing how a kid of 17, who has only played a handful of first-team games, ran a match. Ramsey has ability and class in abundance but what struck me was his work ethic, coolness under pressure and maturity for someone so young.

I’m not surprised that Sir Alex Ferguson is monitoring his progress because he has the raw materials to be a Manchester United or top-four Premier League player.

Dave Jones has transformed Cardiff into a good footballing side who have plenty of creative guile in midfield.

Wembley is the stage where the talents of Ramsey and Ledley deserve to be, and this is their big chance in front of an international audience to show what all the fuss is about.

I’m happy for our manager as he has taken some unwarranted criticism during his three years at Cardiff as he has moulded us a team, within huge financial constraints, that is capable of qualifying for FA Cup semi-finals.

Dave has had to sell almost £20m worth of talent like Michael Chopra, Danny Gabbidon, Cameron Jerome and Chris Gunter to keep us afloat, and he has still managed to create us a winning team.

Luckily a high court judge backed us the other week so we don’t have to pay back our £30m-odd debt immediately and face the uncertainty of administration, so we can all enjoy our big day at Wembley.

Ever since my bronze medal in my first Olympics in 2004, I’ve done the famous City ‘ayatollah’ celebration after every race. I’ll be doing more than the ‘ayatollah’ if the mighty Bluebirds do the job.

And I’d like to thank the readers of my last piece for their questions, once I’ve recovered from my bout of cup fever I’ll be answering them.

C’mon City!