Archer Alison eyeing Olympic medal

She is about to equal the record as Britain’s most prolific Olympian – and she has had nails done in patriotic style, proudly displaying Union flags – especially for the occasion.

Shropshire archer Alison Williamson will start competing in her sixth Olympics on Friday afternoon, even before the Games officially begin.

When she fires her first arrow in the traditional ranking competition which precedes the knockout stages of the team and individual archery events, 40-year-old Williamson will become just the third Brit to notch up her sixth games, following former Telford-based javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson (1979-96) and fencer Bill Hoskyns (1956-76).

Williamson, from Church Stretton, was getting in some training at Lord’s this afternoon and has her sights set on equalling – or bettering – her bronze at Athens in 2004.

“I don’t really think about it being my sixth games. It’s only when people mention it,” she said

“My first games were in Barcelona in 1992 and I was completely overawed. I’d never experienced anything like Olympic Village life before. What stands out here is actually the landscape. It’s incredible. There are proper trees. You’re in East London and people mocked the Games coming here. Now I just think, ‘Wow, this is really incredible’.”

Williamson made the shortlist to carry the Great Britain flag at the opening ceremony.

“It was a great honour just to be mentioned in the shortlist,” said Williamson.