Stevenson never doubted selection

SARAH STEVENSON

"I don't know why but I never doubted I wouldn't be selected because I have been really positive.

"It was great to get that call to tell me I was going to London.

"But because I always believed in myself, it was almost like 'oh, thank you, let's get on with it.'

"I know people will find that strange because it was a really bad injury. (cruciate knee ligament injury during a GB training camp in Mexico last February)

"But I was up for the challenge. I have been through worst things than an injured knee.

"That was my motivation. Don't get me wrong I knew it was going to be hard work and it will be hard work still.

"However, I've never ducked away from a challenge in my career."

"Of course, I would have preferred to fight a couple of times this year. That was the plan before I suffered the injury.

"But plans have been put in place to get me sparring partners and to have a few 'Test' matches before the Games.

"And hopefully I will have enough practice runs before I get to London. It's not something I am overly worried about.

"This will be my fourth Olympics (Sydney, Athens, Beijing) and me and the sport have come along way since my first Games.

"When I went to Sydney in 2000, I was only 17 and hardly anyone knew what taekwondo was.

"But that's all changed and I don't even think you can class it as a so-called minority sport anymore.

"I might have been the first person to go to an Olympics and win at the Worlds, but more players are winning so much these days.

"And that will kind of take the pressure off me in London.

"The whole team is capable of winning medals. We saw that recently by having the most successful European Championships ever which I missed because of the injury."

"If I win gold that will top everything I have achieved in the sport. But that might not happen because that's the way sport is.

"Just because you are the best doesn't mean you are going to win.

"Of course, I will try like mad to win gold.

"But I am trying not to make the Olympics the most important thing in my life.

"I want to win more than anything and will go for it.

"But after what's happened then I have got more important things in my life at home; my husband, family and friends. They matter more than winning a gold medal."

GARY HALL ON SARAH STEVENSON:

"She is simply world class in every department. Her pedigree is unquestionable. She has had a phenomenally bad 18 months but she comes out of the other side with shining colours.

"Her training is going really well and she is covering every single base. Sarah will be a significant threat in London.

"She is the queen of taekwondo in this country and has been for many years. There is no accolade I could push her way that would do her justice.

"Sarah hasn't fought for 12 months now and she does need final training partners. That's why we have brought in the very best fighters from Korea, from Croatia, from France and from Hungary. We have got them coming in from everywhere to make sure her preparation is the best it can be. And I know it will be."