Former GB swimmer Chris Cooks applauds Michael Phelps and anticipates a golden home Games...
Ahead of London 2012 we asked a range of personalities to let us know what the Olympics means to them. Swimmer Chris - who competed for Great Britain at the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games and is now a Sky Sports Living for Sport Athlete Mentor - explains why he'd love to see F1 in the Games...
What are your favourite Olympics memories?
Standing on the blocks in Athens was my first memory of the Games and one that will remain with me forever. I could not help taking a moment to realise that this was a dream that started when I was seven! It's an incredible arena and to walk out to a final at the games is just the most amazing feeling in my sport career.
Who would you class as the greatest Olympian of all time?
Michael Phelps - no question. I know many people have said that it's easier in swimming because the events are similar; let me tell you, that is as far from the truth as you can get. To reach the top in any event in swimming takes some doing, but to dominate eight-to-ten events is just outstanding and to stay on top makes him the greatest Olympian ever.
How much of London 2012 will you be watching?
I'll watch all of it, I'm excited to see the theme and the feel of the games when it gets started. Everything interests me about it, from the music they play during the medal ceremonies, the mascots and parades down to the team kit that athletes wear. I'm not going to the games and I'm certainly not competing at London. I was tempted to go on another four years but I felt that my physical best was behind me and I also felt that I'd done everything that I possibly could have done in swimming to strive for Olympic Gold - I'm really proud of that!
Which events are you most looking forward to?
I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends on the swim team compete. I think we have some outstanding swimmers coming through and the team is shaping to be a very strong team and the exciting part for me is that there are some very good young swimmers coming through. The other events I'm looking forward to watching will be the event that I competed in 100m breaststroke and the Medley Relay, but also the other sports where we have Team GB competing, I love watching them all. This year I'm particularly excited to watch the Paralympics as I have a few friends competing there, they are true inspirations!
How do you think Team GB will fare?
Home crowd, home venue, home advantage - I think we'll storm it! Beijing really made the world (and the UK) sit up and take Team GB serious for the first time in a long while. I think we shocked a lot of people that we finished fourth in the medal table. I feel when you look at the team it is capable of even better results than Beijing... it'll be tough but I really do believe that we are seeing the positive effects of Lottery Funding coming through. We are giving our athletes the opportunity to be full time athletes and not have to mess around working where it is not needed. The support network has improved tenfold in the last 15 years and I think we have more to improve upon. All said and done I think Team GB will be the most successful team we've ever had at an Olympic Games
Do you think the legacy of London 2012 will benefit your sport - and sport in general?
I think the true legacy is inspiring the hearts and minds of our young people in sport. This is why programmes such as
Sky Sports Living for Sport and other programmes which inspire young people in schools, sports and organisations are paramount to leaving a legacy that will influence another generation of dream chasers. When I go to a school to inspire young people, I talk about having a dream and personally feeling that my dream at times seemed so far in the distance, it looked impossible to achieve and I felt that at times this may not go the way I want it to go... I think it's really important to share these messages with our young people because whilst we live in a society where success is expected instantly, something's are worth working and waiting for!
What sport would you like to see added to the Olympics?
F1 - impossible I know, but I just love the F1. It has everything a sport should have and I'm really excited for this season. I think instead of adding a sport to the Olympics I'd like to see extra events added to the games, many sports have extra events that athletes compete in on a World level, however they are not in the Games. I'd love to see more events added from more sports.
If you were to enter the Olympics in a sport other than your own, which event would you choose and why?
I'd love to do a team event in may be track cycling or something. I loved swimming in relay events and I always have done ever since I was a young swimmer, so when I look at other relay teams I think 'that would be so cool to lead the team out of even be the one to cross the line and bring the gold home'.
Find out more about Chris at www.chriscookgb.com or follow him on Twitter. Stay up-to-date with the latest news on Sky Sports Living for Sport on Twitter or by visiting the website.
