City fencer en garde for Olympic high

EDINBURGH fencer Lisa McKenzie admits the difference between the London 2012 Olympics being a career-high or career-low are minuscule - but she has vowed to ensure it is the former.

If the road to 2012 wasn't already underway for McKenzie, it certainly is now with the year-long qualifying process opening on March 31 and three places per nation available in her class - the foil.

With the former Firrhill High School pupil currently ranked well down in 364th in the world and Natalia Sheppard, the highest placed Briton at 85th, she is unlikely to reach the Games in her own right.

Instead McKeznie will focus on securing one of only eight places available to Britain, courtesy of being the host nation, across the men's and women's foil, sabre and epee classes.

McKenzie received a boost in her bid last week after being named on the Bank of Scotland Local Heroes scheme for the fourth year running - and is determined on using it to get to 2012.

"London 2012 is something where either I could very easily get into the team or if things don't go to plan I could crash and burn at the last minute and that would be my place lost," said McKenzie. "It's a case now of trying to face as many of the world's top fencers as possible and going to every competition I can and learning from whatever happens.

"It is something which I believe is well within my grasp but it's going to be very, very tough. It'd be an absolute dream to go to the Olympics - the pinnacle.

"But when I go to the Olympics I want to do well, I don't just want to get on the team.

"The peak age for fencing is mid-to-late 30s so I've got a hell of a long way to go but it would be phenomenal to get into the Olympics in 2012."

McKenzie received 1,000 courtesy of being selected again as a Bank of Scotland Local Hero - funding vital to her continuing her development this year and next.

She is planning trips to China, Russia and South America in the coming months and insists the experience of competing abroad is proving invaluable.

• Bank of Scotland Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, provides support and funding to 82 emerging Scottish athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. Follow them at: www.bankofscotland.uk/localheroes