Excitement builds for Radford's family (+ video)

The mother of Rotorua swimmer Kane Radford says it is slowly sinking in that she will be heading to Rio to see him compete in the Olympics.

Bronwen Radford said originally travelling to Rio was going to be "a bit too hard" for a number of reasons, but thanks to the generosity of people she was now able to go.

She will travel to Brazil with Kane's brother Reagan and his father Garry Radford.

Mrs Radford said Kane and Reagan had an "amazing" relationship and were really close.

"We have all been on this journey."

Tania Stranks from World Travellers in Hamilton had managed to put it altogether and make it work, for which Mrs Radford was "really grateful".

"She knocked on the door last night and presented me with some luggage so that was so cool."

Mrs Radford said she had never been anywhere like Rio, as the furthest she had travelled was to Australia.

Kane had been on the international circuit and World Championships since 2006, and "it's so awesome I can get to watch him, not just on the international circuit, but the Olympics which is pretty cool", Mrs Radford said.

"We are a huge sports family, we always have been."

The trip had been finalised just last week and they were set to fly out on August 12, with Kane's 10km open water race being held on August 16.

She said people had been "amazing" with their support, including the whole swimming community in Rotorua, and especially Kane's club Swim Rotorua.

"Rotorua's been so cool and everyone has supported Kane and myself over the years."

Mrs Radford said it was a "big unknown" how she would feel watching his race at the Olympics, as usually she was sitting at home in her own bubble watching on a live feed.

Kane was an incredibly hard worker, as all athletes were, she said.

She said as long as he loved swimming and enjoyed it, that was all that mattered.

"I want him to achieve what his personal goal is."