Somewhere in a galaxy far far away, otherwise known as “cloud nine,” is where I stood when I got the phone call that made my life long dream come true. The call saying I had been selected for the Olympics. And these are not just any Olympics, but an Olympics held on home soil!
I was working in the pub at the time. I rang my parents straight away and it was another one of those memorable and emotional phone calls, which resulted in Mum putting union jack flags out in the yard for my return! I was bursting at the seams with my news, but until announcement day it had to be kept under our hats! I’m not sure who it was most difficult for, my proud parents, boyfriend or me!
Two weeks later I returned from Munich World Cup and drove very bravely into the middle of London. Being a countryside girl I naively thought that at 1:30am on a Sunday night/Monday morning the route would be relatively clear. Now I realise that London is the City that never sleeps!
Exactly one week after carrying the Olympic Torch, I stood at the Tower of London with a bunch of great friends who had also been selected for the GB Shooting Team. It wasn’t your average Monday morning at the office! Having been given our official letter of selection by Andy Hunt, the Team GB Chef de Mission, a few of us were asked to be on the top table for the press conference later that morning. Sitting behind my name plate and glass of water, I felt just like Michael Schumacher in a F1 press conference!
Preceding this we had some great official photographs taken with two Beefeater Guards in the grounds of the Tower of London. It was an amazing feeling to have our official photographs taken in one of London’s most prestigious locations. It was extraordinary to be stood somewhere so steeped in history, as we felt we were making a small mark of our own.
I hope I managed to convey my feeling of pride and honour upon being selected to represent my country at what I call the “biggest sports day in the world,” London 2012. It feels like a fitting reward for my dedication and hard work over the years, but none of this could not have been achieved without the stirling support from the special group of people, fondly known as 'TeamGorgs'.
No sooner had my awesome Monday in London begun, I was straight back down to earth trying to navigate my way out the “Big Smoke” to Devon, before the evening rush hour got into full swing!
