2004 - Athens

Introduction
Olympics A record 3.9 billion people worldwide watched as 301 events were staged, with Argentina winning the men's football tournament without conceding a goal, swimmer Michael Phelps earning eight total medals and women's wrestling being introduced for the first time.
Paralympics In Athens 17 new countries came to the Games and an impressive 73 of the 135 competing nations won at least one medal. An amazing 304 world records and 448 Paralympic records were made, with China taking the most medals of the Games.

KAREN PICKERING
Swimming
Interview date:March 2009
Olympic Years:1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004

As a member of the British Olympic Association Board as well as being on the Sports Advistory Group for LOCOG, Karen says the motivation for British athletes having the Games in London is enormous, and if she could still compete she would be in the water like a shot!