Our 2012 Performance Team are a special bunch. A mix of international superstars and famous Olympic and Paralympic athletes, alongside the very best up-and-coming talent from across the UK.
Tom Daley
Diving
I started diving by chance when I was 7, and began competing just after my 9th birthday. There have been lots of highlights since then, including winning the World Championships when I was 15 and picking up two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010.
Ellie Simmonds
Swimming
I was inspired to take up competitive swimming by the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. After winning two gold medals in Beijing I became the youngest person to be awarded an MBE, aged 14. Since then, I've been working hard towards London.
Jonathan Brownlee
Triathlon
I started swimming at 4, but when I was 10 my uncle was in a local triathlon and I couldn't wait to try it too. A month later I took part in my first event. That summer I watched Cathy Freeman race to victory in Sydney - and I can still remember every second.
Tom Aggar
Rowing
I'm very excited about London 2012 but am not getting myself too worked up. It is quite a way off and although I am confident about my chances of winning a medal, I need to keep improving my times because there will be some serious challengers in 2012.
Martyn Bernard
High Jump
My parents got me into athletics as a way of channelling my energy, and I haven't looked back. I won my first major medal in 2005 and am now focusing on London 2012, along with studying for my Law degree.
Alistair Brownlee
Triathlon
I still remember the thrill of my mum telling me I could win medals at my local swimming club. The joy of being outdoors and active led me to my first triathlon when I was 10, and winning the World Junior Championships in 2006 drove me to pursue my Olympic dream.
Mark Hunter
Rowing
I think the turning point in my career was moving to the prestigious Leander Club, which gave me the opportunity to row with the best athletes in the world. I strive to keep improving and, having already won gold in Beijing, a win in 2012 would be extra special.
Mark Lewis Francis
Sprinter
Winning the World Juniors in 2000 was a key moment in my career and made me realise that I had potential. Since the day that my Dad took me down to Birchfield Harriers, I've always dreamed of Olympic gold, and having achieved this with the 4x100m relay team in 2004, I'd love to win an individual medal in 2012.
Richard Mantell
Hockey
Watching GB winning the Hockey Olympic gold in Seoul 1988 is one of my favourite Olympic moments - I was seven years old when my Dad got me up in the middle of the night to watch it! Competing and winning against the best in the world really drives me and my ambition is to win Olympic gold at London 2012.
Simon Mantell
Hockey
I started playing hockey in my garden at the age of four and have never looked back since. When I'm not competing I miss the feeling of pushing myself to become better and I really appreciate how lucky I am to represent my country. I can't wait for London 2012 when my focus will be on helping the team to win gold.
Giles Scott
Sailing
I was tempted into racing at the age of seven when my mother bribed me with a chocolate bar. It wasn't long after that day that all I wanted to do was go racing, and since the age of 14 when I became the youngest ever Topper National Champion, I have been driven by the dream of Olympic glory.
Louis Smith
Gymnastics
My first Olympic Games was Beijing, where I won the bronze for the men's pommel horse. That made me the first Briton to win a medal in the individual gymnastics since 1908. Since then I've picked up medals in 2009 and 2010. So hopefully I'm on track for 2012