Hosking staying calm at start of 2012 (From Your Local Guardian)

Hosking staying calm at start of 2012

11:39am Friday 6th January 2012 in Local Sports Round-up

London Rowing Club’s Sophie Hosking is keeping a cool head despite the London Olympic Games being just seven months away.

Since it was announced in 2005 that London would host the Games this year, Great British athletes throughout the country have been waiting for 2012 with baited breath.

But while January 1 led to goosebumps among some of the nation’s potential Olympians, two-time World Championships lightweight double scull medallist Hosking, who has a strong chance of an Olympic medal, is taking it all in her stride.

“I haven’t really thought about what I will feel yet,” she said.

“I guess you cannot really ignore totally what is happening, especially as it is so much more prevalent in the media.

“But I try to distance myself from that because I have got so much work to do to put myself in the best possible shape.

“At the end of the day, I will not radically change my training – it should be like any other normal day and August 4 should also be like any normal racing day, it is about going there and delivering a performance.

“Yes, I will be excited but I try not to get carried away with six months time.”