LYMINGTON-born sailor Nick Thompson has revealed his relief after being named in the Team GB squad for next summer’s Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old laser world champion, a bronze medallist at last year’s Olympic test event, is set to represent GB in Rio.

Discussing his delight, Thompson said: “I have been trying so hard for so long to be selected for an Olympics.

"I have done three Olympic cycles full-time and almost more, and to not actually have had the chance to represent my country has been bitterly disappointing.

“To be selected this time, and to be selected really early on, is a huge achievement and it will allow me really to focus hard on trying to do the country proud next year.

“I think to win gold in Rio you will need to be a really good all-round sailor. We have seen so far on trips out there that the conditions are really challenging and you do get a good mix.

“The sailing is going to go down to the wire, especially in the laser class, so you are just going to have to battle all the way through and see where you lie at the end.”

British sailors have a proud history of 55 medal wins at the Olympics – including 26 golds – and sit at the top of the overall sailing medal table.