Royal Canoe Club star Jess Walker celebrated her Olympic call-up with gold and silver medals at the European Under 23 Championships in Hungary at the weekend.
The 18-year-old will become the youngest ever female flat water canoeist to go to the Games when she takes to the water in Beijing in the K2 500m event, alongside Elmbridge Boat Club's six-time world champion Anna Hemmings.
Walker took the K1 1,000m title and finished second in the 500m final to put the pair among the favourites to at least reach the finals in China.
And the Feltham-based Kings College student - who trains in Teddington - hopes the trip to the Far East can provide a stepping stone towards the London 2012 Games in four years time.
"It is thrilling to be competing in my first games and I am looking forward to going to Beijing and experiencing the greatest sporting event in the world," she said.
"I feel really lucky to have this opportunity, especially at such a young age as this experience will aid my development towards 2012."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article