Team GB: sportswomen to watch at the Olympics
With the world's best athletes gathering in London for the 2012 Olympics, we meet some of the UK's female sports aces who are aiming for gold
Rebecca Adlington, 22, swimmer
Trophy cabinet highlight: double gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
'People think my place in 2012 is guaranteed but I still have to qualify. We're all going to be fighting for two places in each event and there are all these amazing younger swimmers coming up who'll be at their perfect age, so I'll have to battle to keep my place.
'Before Beijing I was unknown, then almost overnight I was the one to beat. I try not to think about it too much, though. The aftermath of Beijing was a really big lesson for me. I really wanted to enjoy the whole experience but after the world championships I realised you can't do that and train properly. Now I'm 100% focused.
'I really suffer with nerves. Before the 800m in Beijing I had to lie down I felt so faint but as soon as I hit the water there isn't a single nerve in my body. I just love the sensation you get when you first dive in.
'My two older sisters swam when they were younger, too. My dad used to wake them up in the morning and they'd throw alarm clocks at him but I'd always get up - I never hit the snooze button! I was always left behind because I was the littlest, so whenever we got into the pool, I'd think 'no, I'm winning this one!'
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 Olympics, sportswomen, London 2012, 2012, Rebecca Adlington, Louise Hazel, Christine Ohuruogu, Keri-Anne Payne, Sarah Storey, Shanaze Reade, Beth Tweddle, Zoe Smith, Perri Shakes-Drayton, Heather Fell
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