Madelyn Moore feels even more determined to perform well at the Pan American Games after being disappointed with her display at the World Aquatic Championships last month.

The 19-year-old admits the nerves might have got the better of her in Gwangju, South Korea, where the competition was held, but insists she has banished them from her system before arriving in Lima.

Moore will compete in her first event, the 100 metres butterfly, at the Aquatics Centre today before returning to the pool tomorrow and Friday for the 100 and 50 freestyle.

“I didn’t do as well as I wanted to in South Korea,” said Moore, who finished 38th in the 50 butterfly and 43rd in the 50 freestyle. “I’ll be doing different events at this meet and hopefully I can hit some times that I haven’t reached in a while.

“South Korea was a really good experience. It was my first world championships and it was a little nerve-racking to see Olympic medallists and world-record holders.”

As well as looking to set personal best times, Moore also hopes to be pushing for a final the 50 freestyle, her strongest event, in which she believes she can qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next summer.

“The Pan Am Games is kind of like the CAC [Central American and Caribbean] Games with the addition of the United States and Canada,” said Moore, who attends the University of Northern Colorado.

“It’s not wracking my nerves as much as the world champs. I’m excited to [try to] make some finals. That would be really nice.

“The 100 fly is my first event. It’s not one of my main races, so going a PB in that would be amazing.

“The facility is great and I’m really excited to swim here. The pool looks massive!”

Ben Smith, the Bermuda coach, said he is particularly optimistic about Moore producing a fast time in the 50 freestyle, which he describes as a notoriously unforgiving event.

“Maddie’s main focus has been the 50 freestyle,” Smith said. “It’s a difficult event and I went through this process with Rebecca Heyliger and Roy-Allan Burch.

“You make one mistake and it can knock you out of the event. We will be working on the details and hopefully we will get in there prepared for swimming fast.”