Olympics: McKenzie not sitting on the fence when it comes to 2012

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 08:51

RISING Capital fencing star Lisa McKenzie has set her sights on following in the footsteps of her father Don by representing Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 20-year-old has already shown she is a chip off the old block by impressing on the international stage at the Junior World Championships.

McKenzie's growing potential was rewarded when she was included in the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative and given a cash injection of 1,000 towards her training costs.

And, after climbing to 17th spot in the British senior standings, McKenzie is now desperate to fast-track her Olympic Games dream by breaking into the top ten next season.

She said: "It was a really good year for me and I feel like I'm definitely moving in the right direction."

Fencing is in the blood for McKenzie, from Colinton, whose father flew the flag at the 1988 Seoul Games.

She added: "The highlight was being selected for the Junior World Championships.

"It was brilliant to be at a big international event surrounded by all the other athletes, it was really inspirational. My immediate aim is to make it into the top ten and see where I can go from there.

"The next season is about getting myself established and raising my profile so things can move forward at a quicker pace.

"The ultimate goal is to get to an Olympic games and do well there. I don't just want to compete I really want to win something.

"It's the dream of every athlete to get to the Olympics and to get to London 2012 would be the most amazing thing ever."

The link-up with Lloyds has allowed her to train in Italy and Hungary but competition is still fierce with only two British fencers qualifying for the Olympics.

And the Edinburgh University student revealed competing at 2012 would fulfil an ambition she has held all her life.

"To compete in front of your home crowd would be an incredible experience and one that I would remember for the rest of my life. Fencing has just always been a part of my life and I first held a foil when I was about three years old.

"For as long as I can remember I have been involved. I used to go along with my dad when he was fencing or with my gran who never fenced but who my dad taught to be a coach."

&#149 LLOYDS TSB is providing 1,000 to more than 270 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes