:00:01. > :00:07.In just under 200 days from now, the Olympic Games will arrive in
:00:07. > :00:10.the South West. And it's not just here in Dorset where they'll make
:00:10. > :00:20.their mark. We've been travelling the region, meeting our top
:00:20. > :00:24.
:00:24. > :00:30.athletes, finding out how they're It is hard to focus on anything
:00:30. > :00:36.except the Olympics because it is getting so close. That so describes
:00:36. > :00:45.her character. I think there is going to be even more expectation
:00:45. > :00:51.and hope, really. Every inch of sweat, I have put it into getting
:00:51. > :00:53.that goal. I hopeless than on the podium. It is music to my ears.
:00:53. > :01:01.We've come across some amazing stories, including Cornwall's Helen
:01:01. > :01:06.Glover and her transformation from school teacher to medal favourite.
:01:06. > :01:09.I always felt sport was worth doing. The Olympics was summer I thought I
:01:09. > :01:12.would get to. This is the National Sailing
:01:12. > :01:15.Academy and it's where the Olympic fleet will sail from during the
:01:15. > :01:25.Games. I'm Natalie Cornah and you're watching South West Olympic
:01:25. > :02:00.
:02:00. > :02:07.These waters are where dreams of Olympic gold will be realised next
:02:07. > :02:11.summer, in front of a global audience of millions. Them -- this
:02:11. > :02:14.summer. In the next half hour, we'll meet the South West athletes
:02:14. > :02:21.in with a chance of gold and find out more about Weymouth and
:02:21. > :02:24.Portland and their journey to becoming an Olympic site. There are
:02:25. > :02:29.towns that were gripped her arms of to host an Olympic event. We have
:02:29. > :02:32.to work together to show the world how we can make a difference.
:02:32. > :02:34.But first to a young man who's become the poster boy for London
:02:35. > :02:44.2012 - double Commonwealth diving champion, Plymouth's very own Tom
:02:45. > :02:46.
:02:46. > :02:49.From schoolboy sensation to World Champion, Tom Daley has already
:02:49. > :02:59.clocked up some spectacular achievements on the journey to
:02:59. > :03:05.
:03:05. > :03:09.It is really hard to focus on anything except the Olympics,
:03:09. > :03:12.because it is getting so close. You have to take it stage by stage.
:03:12. > :03:21.In 2008, Tom made history in Beijing, becoming Great Britain's
:03:21. > :03:27.second youngest ever Olympian. is absolutely amazing, I did not
:03:27. > :03:31.expect to go to the Olympics this early. For it to come this early
:03:31. > :03:34.and get the experience ready for 2012 is amazing.
:03:34. > :03:41.There was a stunning win for Tom at the World Championships in Rome a
:03:41. > :03:46.year later - Olympic gold now seemed that much closer.
:03:46. > :03:52.definitely puts a lot of pressure on me. But as long as I go home,
:03:52. > :03:55.work hard, it is definitely a possibility. It depends what
:03:55. > :03:58.happens on the day. On his return from Rome, Tom went
:03:58. > :04:05.to see the Olympic Park in London, the place where his ultimate
:04:05. > :04:10.ambition could soon be realised. I was to win an Olympic gold in
:04:10. > :04:17.front of my home crowd, stand on the podium when the National Anthem
:04:17. > :04:25.is playing, it would be incredible. If I could do it in London, it
:04:25. > :04:28.would be insane. It is definitely goal for England.
:04:28. > :04:30.Further success followed in 2010 - Tom scooped two titles at the
:04:30. > :04:32.Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Another remarkable achievement,
:04:32. > :04:35.although this time completed without the immediate support of
:04:35. > :04:45.father Rob, who had to stay in Plymouth to undergo treatment on a
:04:45. > :04:50.
:04:50. > :04:54.In May last year, Rob Daley lost his battle with cancer.
:04:54. > :05:04.Rob had dedicated his life to Tom. He was the driving force behind his
:05:04. > :05:07.
:05:07. > :05:11.World Champion son. We did he get this amazing talent from? I would
:05:11. > :05:15.like to say, from me! In tribute, Tom wrote, "If I could
:05:15. > :05:22.be half the dad that my dad was to me, then that would be my best
:05:23. > :05:26.At the World Championships last July, Tom failed to defend his
:05:26. > :05:36.title, finishing out of the medals in fifth place. A disappointment,
:05:36. > :05:41.but let's hope his best is still to come. I am really enjoying the
:05:41. > :05:45.build up so far. Going into Beijing, I was nervous and excited. London
:05:45. > :05:49.2012 is the first Olympics where I know what it is going to be like.
:05:49. > :05:52.It is just about going in there and tried to do my best.
:05:52. > :05:58.For one so young, the expectations on Tom from Plymouth, the South
:05:58. > :06:04.West and indeed the whole country couldn't be higher. People are
:06:04. > :06:08.putting pressure on me, but to be honest, I don't see it as pressure.
:06:08. > :06:12.I can only go and try my best and do the best I can do and defy a
:06:12. > :06:17.don't go very well, it can only be need that has disappointed. It is
:06:17. > :06:19.not anyone else's performance. I will give it my best shot. At the
:06:19. > :06:21.opening of the Olympic Aquatic Centre last summer, Tom
:06:21. > :06:31.demonstrated not only his talent, but his steel-like composure,
:06:31. > :06:35.
:06:35. > :06:39.reminding his fans that it has been, I don't see myself as a poster boy.
:06:39. > :06:43.A lot of people say it, but I am just doing something I love to do
:06:43. > :06:53.and something I have worked hard at. If people see it like that, it is
:06:53. > :06:56.
:06:56. > :06:59.kind of weird but kind of The National Sailing Academy was
:06:59. > :07:03.the first of the 2012 Olympic venues to be completed, with the
:07:03. > :07:06.finishing touches added back in 2008.
:07:06. > :07:09.Ever since, Britain's top sailors have been onsite - chief amongst
:07:09. > :07:19.them Ben Ainslie, who's on course to win a fourth Olympic gold here
:07:19. > :07:21.
:07:21. > :07:24.At the Olympic Games, heroes are born. They live long in the memory,
:07:24. > :07:34.and for an island nation with a rich maritime heritage, there's no
:07:34. > :07:36.
:07:36. > :07:43.greater sailor in the modern age Three golds and a silver at four
:07:43. > :07:52.Olympics - that's 16 years at the top. The waters of Weymouth will
:07:52. > :07:57.now provide the setting for Ben's next bid at Olympic glory. It is a
:07:57. > :08:00.tough venue, tactically. Very strong winds. It will be a great
:08:00. > :08:03.venue for the Olympics. Throughout his 34 years, Ben has rarely
:08:03. > :08:10.strayed far from the water. Growing up, he learnt to sail in the
:08:10. > :08:14.picturesque surroundings of the Fal estuary. Very strong tides to
:08:14. > :08:18.Cornwall, I grew up there, went to school there. I loved spending time
:08:18. > :08:27.there. Following his third gold in 2008, Ben moved to a new challenge,
:08:27. > :08:36.leaving dinghies behind to focus on yacht racing. The Americas Cup has
:08:36. > :08:42.a huge history. Great heritage in sailing. The moves they have made,
:08:42. > :08:46.much faster and more exciting boats, the courses are shorter. It makes
:08:46. > :08:48.it more physical to sail. He was back in the Finn and the Olympic
:08:48. > :08:51.classes last summer, quickly wiping away the cobwebs and forcing the
:08:51. > :09:01.selectors to name him as one of Team GB's first confirmed Olympians
:09:01. > :09:05.for 2012. It is a fantastic feeling, at big relief. A huge sense of
:09:05. > :09:09.responsibility. There will be millions of people watching their
:09:10. > :09:13.home team and expecting us to get results. Hopefully we can do them
:09:13. > :09:15.proud. At the Sailing World Championships in Australia last
:09:15. > :09:20.December, the world's attention came Ben's way a little earlier
:09:20. > :09:24.than expected. He was involved in an altercation with officials on a
:09:24. > :09:33.media boat after he felt they had impeded him during racing and he
:09:33. > :09:41.was subsequently disqualified. was a very unfortunate incident and
:09:41. > :09:46.I regret what happened. But absolutely, it had five years of
:09:46. > :09:49.racing, I have never seen anything like it. Very disappointing. With
:09:49. > :09:52.2012 now in full swing, Ben will try to leave the controversies of
:09:52. > :10:02.Perth behind, as he attempts to become only the third British
:10:02. > :10:02.
:10:02. > :10:07.Olympian to win gold at four consecutive Games. It would be
:10:07. > :10:11.amazing. You cannot think about that too much. It is hard to
:10:11. > :10:21.describe how we could feel, until you do it. Hopefully I will get the
:10:21. > :10:23.
:10:23. > :10:26.Ben and the rest of the British Sailing Team have spent most of the
:10:26. > :10:29.last 12 months here getting to grips with the local sailing
:10:29. > :10:33.conditions. But it's not just on the water where preparations have
:10:33. > :10:36.been making an impact. Our Dorset reporter Simon Clemison has been
:10:36. > :10:46.taking a look at how the whole area has been taking advantage of its
:10:46. > :10:51.
:10:51. > :10:55.The games of the 30th Olympiad in 2012 are awarded to the City of
:10:55. > :11:02.London. Day one in the countdown to the
:11:02. > :11:06.Olympics' arrival in Weymouth and Portland. It was amazing, fantastic
:11:06. > :11:09.news. It is the biggest thing that has happened in sport for as long
:11:09. > :11:13.as I can remember. Now the years are turning into just months and
:11:13. > :11:18.weeks. This stretch of the Dorset coast has been quick to seize the
:11:18. > :11:28.opportunity of a lifetime. A multi- million pound relief road, new
:11:28. > :11:28.
:11:28. > :11:31.homes, a new school and a seafront recreated for the 21st century.
:11:31. > :11:35.There are towns up and down the country that would rip their arms
:11:35. > :11:39.of to have an Olympic event. We have to use that, we have to work
:11:40. > :11:44.together as a community to show the world how we can make a difference.
:11:44. > :11:47.If we work together and grasps that, our Olympics will be extraordinary.
:11:47. > :11:55.In 2008, The National Sailing Academy in Portland was the first
:11:55. > :12:01.of the London 2012 venues to be completed. We are looking beyond
:12:01. > :12:04.2012, because we don't want 2012 to be a one off. We wanted to be part
:12:04. > :12:07.of a continuing series of major yachting events.
:12:07. > :12:15.Whilst the Olympic hopefuls have already made the academy their home,
:12:15. > :12:18.there's also space for the next generation. Schools from all round
:12:18. > :12:24.the county come down and have an afternoon or a morning session for
:12:24. > :12:30.just �5. I got into it because at the end of my sailing, I got the
:12:30. > :12:34.award. I hope to get into racing a lot more than I have been. I am
:12:34. > :12:41.looking forward to the Olympics. Nearby, the resort of Weymouth has
:12:41. > :12:46.attracted the attention of the world's media. I love that there is
:12:46. > :12:48.so much to do here. I cannot wait to go back home and recommend this
:12:48. > :12:51.to people as a wonderful destination.
:12:51. > :12:56.In the next few months, a huge viewing tower will rise up 170 feet
:12:56. > :12:59.above the town, giving panoramic views across the bay. Not all of
:12:59. > :13:02.the changes have been welcomed - parts of Portland are yet to feel
:13:02. > :13:12.that Olympic glow - and the now completed relief road has always
:13:12. > :13:13.
:13:13. > :13:17.been a contentious issue. million odd quid spent on the road
:13:17. > :13:19.that is good to shift the traffic jams are Morrell's and probably
:13:19. > :13:22.fill up Weymouth with even more cars.
:13:22. > :13:29.While the legacy of the Olympics will always divide opinion, four
:13:29. > :13:33.billion pairs of eyes could do a world of good here. 2012 is not
:13:33. > :13:40.just about a little point in time, it is a catalyst, something that
:13:40. > :13:42.will really help us spring board on this great regeneration.
:13:42. > :13:45.Well, I'm joined now by Holly Henderson, LOCOG's City Operations
:13:45. > :13:55.Manager for Weymouth & Portland, who has seen the changes at first
:13:55. > :13:58.
:13:58. > :14:01.hand. What changes have you seen? It was massive, the announcement.
:14:01. > :14:11.The reaction down here, you just have to look at the footage.
:14:11. > :14:12.
:14:12. > :14:21.Phenomenal. The regeneration here in Portland, the Scilly Academy,
:14:21. > :14:29.the marina, it has been phenomenal. In terms of Weymouth, there has
:14:29. > :14:34.been the generation of the seafront, there have been an initiative to
:14:34. > :14:38.allow the kids to go out on the water and have a go themselves.
:14:38. > :14:44.is all happening. What do you think will be the biggest roar the best
:14:44. > :14:49.legacy of the Olympics? That is a big question. It is hard to
:14:49. > :14:59.pinpoint one thing. You could say it would be economic or Gordon one
:14:59. > :15:01.
:15:01. > :15:07.way. -- go down one way. There is the legacy of everything that is
:15:07. > :15:11.going on for the community as well as a fantastic transport network.
:15:11. > :15:14.OK, from one rapid transformation to another. Cornwall's Helen Glover,
:15:14. > :15:17.who at the time of the last Olympics had never even sat in a
:15:17. > :15:27.rowing boat, but now she's challenging for the sport's top
:15:27. > :15:28.
:15:28. > :15:33.At a rowing's top regattas, the best British crews are never far
:15:33. > :15:40.from the medals. Helen Glover, Great Britain lane
:15:40. > :15:45.number three. Helen Glover and Great Britain have to respond.
:15:45. > :15:51.Again, New Zealand comeback! It is going to be a photo-finish right on
:15:51. > :15:56.the line! It is silver for Great Britain.
:15:56. > :16:00.A someone had said four years ago, you are going to be a double world
:16:00. > :16:04.medallist and a strong contender in the 2012 London Olympics, I
:16:04. > :16:14.probably would have laughed at them! By probably would have said,
:16:14. > :16:17.
:16:17. > :16:20.in my dreams, because that was my Four years ago, daily life was very
:16:20. > :16:26.different for 25-year-old Helen Glover.
:16:26. > :16:31.In the last Olympics in 2008, I was training to become a PE teacher. I
:16:31. > :16:37.had only just started and watch the Olympics and I was in all. Having
:16:37. > :16:41.answered a call from Sir Steve Redgrave looking for tall athletes,
:16:41. > :16:44.Helen was fast-tracked into an elite rowing programme, from which
:16:44. > :16:51.she graduated into the senior Olympic squad in 2010.
:16:51. > :17:00.I always felt the Olympics was somewhere I would get to. My
:17:00. > :17:04.Olympic dream is to won a gold medal at will London 2012 Olympics.
:17:04. > :17:08.Helen's journey towards Olympic success began in Cornwall, where
:17:08. > :17:12.parents still run a small business, and evidence of her competitive
:17:12. > :17:19.nature first emerged. I am surprised she has done so
:17:19. > :17:23.incredibly well. I knew she would do well, because she is an
:17:23. > :17:27.incredible person with great willpower and strength, she has
:17:27. > :17:32.always been a very fine athlete, and her determination is fantastic.
:17:32. > :17:39.She does not take anything for granted, she tries like mad. That
:17:39. > :17:44.is just have, she is a bit of a one off. Now keeping company with some
:17:44. > :17:48.of the finest rowers in the world, Helen is being backed by her
:17:48. > :17:57.coaching team to go all the way this summer. Take the weight
:17:57. > :18:02.through the legs, because a lot of people go through here...
:18:02. > :18:12.For some people, an Olympic final is a dream come true. To get on the
:18:12. > :18:14.
:18:14. > :18:17.podium in any way. But we believe this Olympic gold is possible. With
:18:17. > :18:25.only six months until London, Helen Glover is one athlete who will be
:18:25. > :18:29.sure to make the most of every single minute between now and then.
:18:29. > :18:33.Since I was tiny I have been fascinated with the Olympics, it is
:18:33. > :18:43.the pinnacle of sport and the pinnacle of rowing. If I can
:18:43. > :18:43.
:18:43. > :18:50.compete for Great Britain, I am The day the can follow the rest of
:18:50. > :18:55.Helen's journey on BBC Radio Cornwall and BBC Spotlight.
:18:55. > :19:00.Sporting success really comes without personal sacrifice. Leaving
:19:01. > :19:10.behind friends and family in search of glory was what our next athlete
:19:11. > :19:23.
:19:23. > :19:31.Meet Jonathan Fox. A 20-year-old who has focused on just one thing.
:19:31. > :19:35.My dream in 2012 is to get a double gold and the 100-metre backstroke.
:19:35. > :19:38.Jonathan was born with cerebral palsy. Swimming formed a key part
:19:38. > :19:42.of his physiotherapy, and it was not long before his talent was
:19:42. > :19:46.spotted. A at the age of 10 he started
:19:46. > :19:51.competing nationally in the disability section, and in 2006 he
:19:51. > :19:55.got his international debut. Having won medals at every level,
:19:55. > :20:00.including silver at the last Paralympics, Jonathan left, will be
:20:00. > :20:04.kind to join a specialist coaching programme in the north.
:20:04. > :20:11.This is Manchester, you never get traffic like this in Cornwall!
:20:11. > :20:19.The aim was to win Paralympic gold. I think Jonathan can dominate
:20:19. > :20:22.swimming in the next year's. 2012 will be massive for him. -- in the
:20:22. > :20:26.next year. Jonathan now trains for more than
:20:26. > :20:32.20 hours per week, both in the gym and in the pool, but he's won his
:20:32. > :20:36.five kilometres every day. -- where he swims. The importance of this
:20:36. > :20:39.regime to his life goes far beyond the prospect of doing well at the
:20:39. > :20:45.Paralympics. I am noticing that I will have to
:20:45. > :20:51.keep swimming when I finished competing internationally, because
:20:51. > :20:56.my body seizes up, all the muscles, so I need to keep in the water.
:20:56. > :21:01.Back in Cornwall, Jonathan's parents are struggling with him
:21:01. > :21:10.being so far away. It is tough, yes. Miss him
:21:10. > :21:15.Hallo, welcome to my flat. I will take you around.
:21:15. > :21:21.It is all neat and tidy, I think. As you can see, this is my bedroom.
:21:21. > :21:25.I rest every day between sessions. I make sure that his fruit --
:21:25. > :21:31.fridge is filled up with fruit and veg.
:21:31. > :21:34.Make sure his washing is done, yes, mum, I have done that.
:21:34. > :21:40.I am all the way up here in Manchester, I still think about
:21:40. > :21:46.them a lot. I know they are 100 % behind me whatever I do. It will
:21:47. > :21:50.push me to 2,000 and we have -- 2012.
:21:50. > :21:54.The twin now and then, there will be no let up for Jonathan, but it
:21:54. > :22:00.can be tough, too, for those watching at the poolside. I after
:22:00. > :22:05.the race is over, if he has done well I love it!
:22:05. > :22:11.Your heart just skips a beat, it is the only way to discredit.
:22:11. > :22:14.Jonathan is determined to set pulses racing at London 2012.
:22:14. > :22:18.Silver for Great Britain and John Fox!
:22:18. > :22:24.I have trained really hard, and every inch of sweat, blood and
:22:24. > :22:28.tears into getting that gold. I will be standing on the pawn,
:22:28. > :22:38.hearing that national anthem being played - music to my ears. --
:22:38. > :22:39.
:22:39. > :22:44.British Olympic Dreams returns to your screens this Saturday with the
:22:44. > :22:46.Winter Youth Olympic Games special. It is on BBC One at 1pm. The
:22:46. > :22:53.It is on BBC One at 1pm. The programme is back in February with
:22:53. > :22:55.more behind-the-scenes access to more behind-the-scenes access to
:22:55. > :23:01.Britain's Olympic Coppell's. -- Olympic hopefuls.
:23:01. > :23:09.Over the years, the South West has produced top Olympic athletes -
:23:09. > :23:16.Jonathan Edwards, it cools, Sharron Davies. He is a our guide to 2012.
:23:16. > :23:20.He Cornwall's Wendy who regard secured a silver in Beijing, now
:23:20. > :23:30.she is hoping to go one better. But recent form suggests she has
:23:30. > :23:36.
:23:36. > :23:40.contracted us all. -- Wendy Houvenaghel.
:23:40. > :23:44.With eight canoeists competing for only six Olympic sport, Portreath's
:23:44. > :23:47.Jenna Ferris faces a tough battle. But the former European Surf
:23:47. > :23:51.Lifesaving Champion will be hoping a competitive edge will help.
:23:51. > :24:01.Marcus Bateman is one of the stand- out rowers in the Great Britain
:24:01. > :24:01.
:24:01. > :24:08.squad. Alongside double sculls partner, Matt Wells, murders
:24:08. > :24:11.already has a silver medal. Tonya's position as Britain's top
:24:11. > :24:15.female diver was confirmed last summer when she took gold at the
:24:15. > :24:18.British championships. Exeter's Judith Hamer has been a
:24:18. > :24:22.key part of Great Britain's wheelchair basketball squad since
:24:22. > :24:29.2009. Now ranked third in the world, Team
:24:29. > :24:33.GB will be heaving -- evening even higher in 2012.
:24:33. > :24:37.Since announcing herself on the world stage by winning the junior
:24:37. > :24:43.US Open in 2009, Heather Watson has gone from strength to strength. She
:24:43. > :24:47.is now the British No. 3. Pistol shooter Georgina fired
:24:47. > :24:50.herself into contention for an Olympic place at two European
:24:50. > :24:54.Championships last summer. The 27- year-old was the top British
:24:54. > :24:59.finisher at the event, beating the Olympic qualifying standard in the
:24:59. > :25:03.process. As the current world record holder
:25:03. > :25:07.in the 50 metres backstroke, Liam Tancock is undoubtedly one of the
:25:07. > :25:10.great -- one of Great Britain's top performers and the Pill. His
:25:10. > :25:14.favoured event does not feature at the Olympics, which means he will
:25:14. > :25:20.have to go for gold in the 100 metres instead. With Olympic silver
:25:20. > :25:24.medal, Heather Fell's pedigree is already there for all to see.
:25:24. > :25:27.However, a disappointing season has lifted 28-year-old on the verge of
:25:27. > :25:31.being left out of the squad for the Games, meaning heather still has it
:25:31. > :25:34.all to do. Experience is a key attribute for
:25:34. > :25:38.any Olympian. It could be said the more you have the better your
:25:38. > :25:48.chances. With that in mind, things are looking good for the three-day
:25:48. > :25:51.
:25:51. > :25:55.eventer, Mary King. She has been Mary King it might have reached 50
:25:55. > :25:59.this year but she is riding as well as ever.
:25:59. > :26:03.Even after years of competing at the top, Mary King's desire to win
:26:03. > :26:07.and be the best is still as strong as ever.
:26:07. > :26:12.I have just got this inner drive to compete and be successful at the
:26:12. > :26:18.top level. For some reason, that has not gone for me, despite
:26:18. > :26:22.getting married and having children, getting old, I still want to do it.
:26:22. > :26:32.Look-at-me's face, that describes her character. Her determination is
:26:32. > :26:33.
:26:33. > :26:38.an example to any young event rider. -- look at Mary's face.
:26:38. > :26:45.I used to get so cross if I didn't when! I have had the strife from
:26:45. > :26:50.when I was very young. By qualifying for London 2012, she
:26:50. > :26:53.will join a select band of athletes to represent Britain at six Olympic
:26:53. > :26:57.Games, a remarkable record, helped in equal part by her talented
:26:57. > :27:03.horses. Mrs Imperial Cavalier, he is the
:27:03. > :27:08.top horse in my yard, and I am hoping he will be the one that gets
:27:08. > :27:13.me to the Olympics. He is a horse that I have ridden for a number of
:27:13. > :27:19.years, so we have a really good relationship, and we have had quite
:27:19. > :27:24.a lot of success. Hopefully enough for selection.
:27:24. > :27:27.Despite being at the top, meet still has time to lend a hand to
:27:27. > :27:31.her 15-year-olds daughter, Emily, who, having watched her mother
:27:31. > :27:35.compete for many years, is catching up fast as she likes to follow in
:27:35. > :27:40.her footsteps. It would be amazing to be on the
:27:40. > :27:48.same British team together, for London I think I will be too young,
:27:48. > :27:58.I will only be 16. We are aiming for 2016, that might be possible.
:27:58. > :28:01.
:28:01. > :28:07.If the King clan achieved their goal, it would certainly make the
:28:07. > :28:12.headlines. But for now, Mary is focusing on the present.
:28:12. > :28:18.I have done the bronze in Beijing, silver in Athens, but I have not
:28:18. > :28:23.one that gold, yet, so it would be great to complete the set in London.
:28:23. > :28:28.Of course, she is not alone in that dream. On our journey, we met an