MICHELLE SMITH intends to return to competitive action in Sarcelles, outside Paris, at the end of the month, her first outing since breaking the Irish 200 metres freestyle record at Leisureland.

She will have been out of competitive swimming for almost two months when she returns to Paris for the international on April 26th.

Smith has been "ticking over four hours per day, in a lane allocated to her at the Kilkenny pool. Weight training is also an integral part of Smith's routine.

Her 200 metres freestyle record of two minutes, 01.28 seconds puts her 47th on the FINA's short course world rankings.