Bankier's home comforts

Imogen Bankier is striving to achieve her "ultimate ambition" of medalling in two 'home' Games - starting at London 2012.

First and foremost, the Scottish badminton star is focused on claiming Great Britain's mixed doubles spot for this year's Olympics alongside Chris Adcock but the dream to compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is also in the back of her mind.

The highest pairing in the world rankings on May 3 will qualify and currently Bankier and her English playing partner are in pole position in 14th ahead of Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork in 18th, while a third British duo - Rob Blair and Gabby White - are also within striking distance.

And having maintained their impressive form since winning silver at last year's World Championships at Wembley Arena, which also doubled at the Olympic test event, Bankier and Adcock would be considered strong medal contenders should they get to London.

Bankier is relishing the prospect of another appearance at Wembley but feels having the Commonwealth Games in her own country will ensure she stays motivated after the Olympics are over.

The 24-year-old said: "The prospect of me having two home Games - one in London and then in Glasgow - is massive. I can't think of anything better. It's a real once in a lifetime opportunity.

"It's very exciting for me to have the Commonwealth Games at home in Glasgow and it will be a huge motivation for me after the Olympics has finished.

"I wouldn't say winning an Olympic medal would mean more as they are very different competitions and they mean different things to me.

"Obviously I'll be playing with a Scottish partner at the Commonwealths and it will be in my home city so that will mean so much to me.

"But an Olympic medal as an athlete is the absolute pinnacle. It's different feelings but my ultimate ambition is to medal in both."

Silver lining

Bankier feels their medal run in London last year has given British badminton a much-needed boost and hopes the exposure the sport gets this summer will inspire more youngsters to get involved.

She said: "I think our world silver definitely put badminton on the map again and so many people came out to watch.

"Badminton is such a fantastic sport to watch live and I think the Olympics gives the sport a great chance to showcase what it's all about.

"We have a fantastic young team with lots of chances of medals and hopefully we'll inspire a lot of people to get involved in badminton."

Bankier loved the atmosphere created by the London crowd last year and expects it to be even more fanatic at the Olympics.

She said: "Wembley was the best experience for me because it was in front of a home crowd and there's always a good crowd for the All England Championships which take place in Birmingham every year.

"Badminton is one of the biggest sports in Asia and the crowd are so vocal, especially in Indonesia. But it's nothing the London crowd can't match and I'm sure they'll inspire some great performances."

Hoops dreams

Bankier's father Ian is the chairman of Celtic although she's not sure whether he'd rather her win Olympic gold or the Hoops clinch the SPL title.

She said: "Celtic are doing well and it's a new position for him and exciting for his career. But I don't know what he'd rather happen - it's not a fair question!

"He'll certainly want me to get to the Olympics and he came to watch me at Wembley but I don't think he'd be able to pick between the two of us!

"Since my dad became chairman I have a vested interest now and I've been do a few games."

But with most of her time taken up by travelling the world for competitions and being based in Milton Keynes for training, Bankier admits she has to make the most of the time she does get to see her family and friends.

She said: "Because we're in the middle of Olympic qualifying, whenever I get any spare time I try to get back up to Scotland and see family and friends.

"It's really important for me to do that as I don't have that kind of support down where I'm based. I do a lot relaxing and not a lot of activity - it's not exactly my most social of years!"