By Olympics reporter Michelle Pickles
Kiwi swimmer Melissa Ingram will soon be on her way to the London Olympics. But it will be the last London games that will be on her mind.
Her grandfather almost became an Olympian in 1948, but he missed out when New Zealand didn't send a rowing team.
That has inspired Ingram to make the most of her opportunity.
When Melissa Ingram lines up to race at this year’s London Olympics, the memory of her late grandfather will be one of things driving her to succeed.
“He would have gone to the Olympics for rowing in 1948,” she says. “But obviously he didn't get to go in the end. It’s very special for me. He was very close to me so I’ll definitely have him in my mind when I’m racing over there.”
She's confident the pressure of such a big event won't be a problem.
“I always tend to race well at an international meet. I love the hype, I love getting up, having the crowd. It really gets me excited.”
She proved that when she won gold in the 200m backstroke at a world cup meet in Beijing last November.
The 27-year-old also had the experience of competing at the Beijing games four years ago.
“I know what to expect. I’ve done the work and it’s all looking really good. It’s just all about having fun now and just focussing on coming into the meet properly.”
She says her goal for London is getting to the final.
“Then once we're in the final, we’ll see from there.”
While it may still be 10 days until Ingram leaves, she's already packed and ready to go.
“I’m so excited, and I’ve been planning everything and getting everything sorted. I’m a little OCD.”
That's probably not a bad thing. Ingram knows there's a lot on the line in London as she prepares to swim in her grandfather’s honour.
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