Oxford archer Nichola Simpson says that she will be “bitterly disappointed” not to come back from the 2010 Commonwealth games in Delhi with a medal.

The 53-year-old, who turns 54 a week after the Games, has been focusing on glory in India for more than two years.

And having devoted that time to making sure she is in the best-possible shape, Simpson is in confident mood.

“I gave up work to train for this,” she said. “It means everything to me.

“I train every day, some times on my own and other times with Stuart (Wilson, also at the Commonwealth Games with Northern Ireland), and often for seven or eight hours at a time.

“I would be bitterly disappointed to come back from Delhi without a medal – I believe I have a great chance of winning it out there.”

Simpson, who lives in Marston, is competing for England in the compound individual and team events, and has one aim. Gold.

“We have a great chance,” she said. “I really believe that. “I have worked so hard to get here and just hope everything clicks on the day.

“It’s nice to mix up the practice – it’s good to have time alone to concentrate on that, but when I am with Stuart, there is the element of competition there.

“I don’t like being beaten under any circumstances, so we have a healthy rivalry.”

Another member of the England archery team who has Oxford connections is Chris White.

He was born in Oxford, but now comes from Rugby in Warwickshire.