Danvers: Targeting London

Beijing bronze medallist Natasha Danvers has admitted she is already focusing on claiming gold in London in four years time.

Danvers was a controversial selection for the 400m hurdles at the Olympics following an injury-hit 2008, but defied the critics by taking third place.

It was the second time the 31-year-old mother-of-one had made an Olympic final following Sydney in 2000, and after failing to make the team four years later she is determined to follow Kelly Holmes' example and win gold well into her thirties.

"That is absolutely my number one goal and sometimes I have to sit there and stop myself from thinking about it," she said.

"I have to tell myself 'come on now, you have at least four other major championships before you even get to 2012' but I am already so excited about it right now.

"Kelly Holmes is my inspiration. I will be the same age as she was when she got two gold medals in Athens so I can feed off that.

"She threw the whole age thing out of the window so I'm going to use her as my inspiration towards performing well in 2012.

"People see a lot of young stars coming up, especially in America, and overlook what history says.

"In my event the medallists are always in their thirties - Kriss Akabusi won all his medals from 30 onwards so why not me?"

Meanwhile, 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu admits she would love to defend her title in 2012 but says that the London Games is too far away to think about at present.

"I don't see why not," she said when asked if she will still be around in four years' time. "I never close doors to myself. If I can get myself there fit and healthy then of course.

"It is four years away so me and my coach will have to sit down and plan things very carefully so I can go into London 2012 in the best shape.

"People are talking like it is happening tomorrow but four years is a long time.

"Track and field is very fickle anyway. You can have a good season or a horrible one so all you can do is make sure you do everything you can to be at your best."