THE WRIGHT STUFF

7:00am Friday 30th May 2008

OLYMPIC hopeful Claire Wright is aiming to become Dorset's golden girl in Beijing this summer.

The Bournemouth-based star will be flying the flag for Team GB in the trampoline event at this summer's China Games.

And after being forced to agonisingly watch the past two Olympics from the British squad's first reserve chair, Wright is hoping to become the focal point this time around.

Wright, who trains at hugely-successful Poole gymnastics club OLGA, told the Echo: "I'm very excited. I'm really looking forward to the whole experience of the Games as it's something I've not done before.

"I just want to go there and enjoy the whole experience, but I've just got back from the World Cup at the weekend and I finished third. It really comes down to who is best on the day and I'll be aiming to do the best I can.

"There will be big competition from China, Canada and Russia and they will be the people we are trying to beat."

After a career spanning 22 years and boasting seven consecutive national crowns and 44 world and European medals, 28-year-old Wright is aiming to bow out in style in China - after revealing she plans to retire from the sport following this summer's competition.

"I've got a lot of experience behind me and I've been competing for 22 years," said Wright.

"I'll turn 29 while I am in Beijing but the ages of competitors range from mid 20s to mid 30s.

"There is a possibility I could still be around for the next Olympics, but I think I'm going to retire after this one.

"I want to start a new life and I've got big plans for the future."

Wright has trained with OLGA for the past four years after starting her career in her home town of Frimley, Surrey.

Her gruelling pre-Games schedule at OLGA sees the nine-times World Cup synchro champion training for around five hours each day with coach Nigel Rendell.

But Wright admits she still finds time to relax - and will even reduce her workload as Beijing draws nearer.

"The coaching at OLGA is fantastic and they've taken time to help me prepare for competitions in the past four years and helped me through good and bad times," added Wright.

"I love living in Bournemouth - I wish I'd moved here a long time ago. It's a different way of life and that really helps with my sport.

"I've been cycling a lot, which helps with my training, and it's easier to cycle around here. If things aren't going to great in training I go to the beach and watch the sea, just to calm down a bit before my next session."

Team GB's Simon Clegg said: "I am delighted to welcome Claire to the team, especially as she has been close on two previous occasions."

British gymnastics performance director Matthew Greenwood added: "Claire has been a consistently high performer at the elite world level for a number of years and her place within the Olympic family is richly deserved.

"Claire has had an extremely successful trampoline career, so it is fantastic that she can now make the final step up to compete as an Olympian."