Richard Thompson is very pleased with his progress since joining the John Smith camp in Los Angeles, USA, late last year.

"It took me a little while to get accustomed to the workouts because his method of training is a bit different to my last programme, but I’ve adjusted well. It’s a lot tougher than what I’m accustomed to but it allows you to be mentally tough as well. You have to be to finish the workouts that we do.

"John communicates well, though. He asks us every day how we feel and sets the workout accordingly. He’s very big on technique and I think that’s important, especially when you start factoring in the fatigue from rounds."

The "Torpedo" told the Express he is hoping to reap the rewards of his hard work at the July 27-August 4 Olympic Games, in London, England.

"I’m really happy about how training has been going. I’m very confident about this season. I want to leave London with three medals, and I am doing everything possible to give myself the best chance of achieving that."

At the 2008 Olympics, in Beijing, China, Thompson finished second to Jamaican Usain Bolt in the men's 100 metres dash, and anchored Trinidad and Tobago to silver in the 4x100m relay.

Between 2009 and 2011, Thompson faced the starter in the 100m 55 times, but competed in just seven 200m races. That imbalance will be addressed in 2012.

"I’m a 100/200 metres sprinter now. I’m no longer hiding from the 200. I want it just as bad as I want the 100 this year."

Thompson's training partner, Walter Dix, is also expected to double at the London Games. In Beijing, Dix bagged bronze in the 100m and 200m events. And at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Korea, the American sprinter earned silver in both sprints.

The Smith camp also includes 2011 World Championship women's 100m gold medallist Carmelita Jeter, reigning men's 110m hurdles world champion Jason Richardson, and Norwegian sprinter Jaysuma Saidy Ndure.

"There’s something that everyone brings to the table so we all benefit from being around and working with each other. Being around people like Jeter, Dix and Jaysuma makes me very positive about my approach to training and competition. It's always a positive, fighter mentality.

"I love being in a training group like this," Thompson continued. "There’s no punking out of anything. John doesn’t allow it."

The 26-year-old Nike-sponsored sprinter said the LA experience has been rewarding, both on and off the track.

"Surprisingly, I’ve settled really quickly in LA. I know my way around already and I’ve even found a good Trini restaurant."

Thompson was expected to open his 2012 campaign at the US Open indoor meet, in New York, two weekends ago. But plans changed, and the "Torpedo" will now be launched on Saturday, at the Tyson Invitational, in Arkansas, USA. He will compete in the invitational men's 60m dash.

"There were a few things that John and I were still working on in practice, so he felt that it would be better for me to wait until Tyson Invi to open up."

Every stride Thompson makes in the build-up to London 2012 will be geared towards podium finishes in the 100m, 200m and sprint relay. His Olympic preparations will include the 400m event.

"I will do the 400 this year either in relays or open. My hamstrings aren’t looking forward to it."

Though he seized 100m silver at the 2008 Olympics, Thompson has so far been under the radar on the Road to London. To date, most of the focus has been on Bolt and his fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, the reigning 100m world champion.

"This isn’t an unfamiliar place for me," said Thompson. "I wasn’t spoken about in 2008 either leading up to Beijing. One thing I’ve learnt from that is that predictions mean nothing. It’s all about how you perform on the day."