BACK in the summer of 2005, I remember watching the announcement that the 30th Olympiad was to be held in London.

At that point I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I had little idea at the time that I had any athletic ability, but over time people spotted it and by the end of 2008, I began training full-time for London 2012.

The recent announcement that the the 32nd Olympiad of 2020 will be hosted by Tokyo will doubtless inspire many future Olympians as I was eight years ago.

For me, the announcement in 2005 kick-started years of hard work, tough personal decisions, and perseverance.

2012 was the first Olympic Games at which I had the privilege of competing for team GB – and Tokyo will be that moment for many as well.

It is strange that as athletes, we have to set our goals so far into the future. But that is what stokes the fire that so many young aspiring sportsmen and sportswomen have.

HOWEVER, before then is another opportunity for British athletes to take to the home grounds – the Commonwealth Games are in Glasgow next summer.

Almost four years ago, the English team had a successful trip to Delhi and hopefully we’ll build on that in Scotland.

I am fortunate as an athlete to have had so many opportunities to compete in front of home crowds.

Next year will hopefully reignite the fervour and enthusiasm of the country in getting behind the home counties and willing them on to the podium.

WITH this year’s track and field season over, the focus will shift now to the Sochi Winter Olympics in the New Year.

While British athletes are training hard in preparation for the indoor season our winter Olympians are about to reap the rewards for their own years of hard work.

Let’s hope that many of the successes of last summer will be replicated in the winter arena.