Britain's women volleyball team are keen not to overplay their financial struggles ahead of the Games.
Bertelli turns talk away from funding issues
Great Britain's women volleyball team have been keen not to overplay their financial struggles as they prepare to start their Olympic campaign.
The squad have paid their own way to London having had their funding cut entirely two years ago, with a number of money-spinning initiatives employed to keep their training programme in place.
Their hard work will come to fruition when they open their campaign against Russia on Saturday and, according to libero Marta Bertelli, it is now time to put the hard-luck stories to one side.
"The unity we have as a squad, a lot of that has come from the obstacles we have faced," said the 34-year-old, who is the oldest member of coach Audrey Cooper's squad.
"As a team we have played quite a big part in the legacy aspect of the Games and hopefully they can be a launchpad for the sport.
"We played Korea in a friendly last week and that did wonders for our confidence - we know we can compete.
Sacrifices
"We're not the only athletes to have made sacrifices. All athletes have done the same and we're all equal now and that's what matters."
Bertelli, a former footballer who reached the FA Cup final with Charlton, was at the last Olympics along with team-mate Grace Carter after being chosen to go to China as part of the British Olympic Association's 'Ambition Programme'.
Carter, who will celebrate her 23rd birthday at the Olympics should GB progress beyond the groups, is a key member of Cooper's squad and hopes the viewing public will take inspiration from her and her team-mates.
"One of the things girls in this country may not know is that we all play professionally. We all play all over Europe and people need to know that there is an opportunity for ladies to play," she said.
"I play in France and I play with women from the ages of 17-40. I don't think there are that many sports that give ladies that sort of chance.
"The fact that those opportunities, especially overseas, are available, will hopefully make a difference when people are looking at starting to play volleyball."
Carter is expected to start the Russia clash, with further group games against Algeria, Dominican Republic, Italy and Japan to follow.
