‘It would be a dream come true'

Starlet Joscelyn is one of the country's most promising track athletes and is delighted that London's bid, spearheaded by Seb Coe, beat Paris to become host nation for the 2012 Olympics.

The 17-year-old Archbishop Tenison pupil said: "When I heard the news I was in school because I was doing a business studies presentation. One of my teachers came in and told us the news and everyone started cheering.

"It was a really good atmosphere."

Joscelyn is looking forward to the atmosphere that hosting the Olympics will generate in the country.

"I think it's really important to have a lot of positive support around you when you are competing, it really gives you a boost when you know that people watching you are cheering you on.

"Competing in the Olympic Games is something I am really looking forward to and winning a gold medal in front of a home crowd would be a dream come true."

The sprinter, who blitzed the competition at the English Schools Athletic Association Championships in Birmingham last weekend to win the 100m in 11.73secs, says all her efforts will now be focused on winning a place at the 2012 games.

"All my training is geared to me competing in the 2012 games and I will continue to train hard to realise my dream. Winning a medal would mean so much to me, particularly with the games being over here."

Croydon Harriers 400m starlet Martyn Rooney cannot wait to be part of the 2012 London Games.

Martyn, 18, is one of Croydon's brightest young athletic talents and is a genuine medal prospect for the Olympics in 2012.

The 400/800m runner is itching for the games to start. He said: "I can't wait. The people who will watch and the amount of publicity will be great. It will be a brilliant experience, it will be a real buzz even if I'm there just helping out and not competing."

The John Fisher student is due to attend Loughborough University, renowned for its sporting excellence, later this year but is adamant that he will remain a Croydon Harriers athlete.

"I will definitely continue to run for Croydon Harriers. I have always run for this club and I don't want to run for anyone else.

"I was up at Croydon Arena selling sweets to raise money for Croydon Harriers when I heard the news on the radio. I just started jumping around, I'm delighted it is really great news for everyone in London."

When asked what it would mean to Martyn if he won a gold medal at the 2012 Games, he replied: "Everything. It is a lifetime goal of mine and it would mean so much more to me with the games being held at home. There wouldn't be anything better than that."

Martyn hopes to go to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 to gain the necessary championship experience for his medal push in 2012, but insists the pressure of achieving his ambitions will not affect him.

"I like pressure, I thrive on pressure. I'm quite good at facing pressure and keeping myself calm."