The 27-year-old has been inspired by the example of Britain's Rebecca Romero, who four years after winning a silver medal in rowing at Athens switched to a bike and in Beijing won the gold in the individual pursuit.

 

Robbins, though, is concentrating on road cycling and will compete in the Australian Championships in Ballarat next month.

 

She said: "Getting out of a boat and on to a bike has been a sharp learning curve.

 

"While I'm already missing rowing a lot and the sport will always be a big part of me, I'm starting to get the hang of cycling."

 

Robbins caused a storm in Australia when, with her team in the women's eight challenging for the bronze medals in Athens, she stopped rowing and lay down because she claimed she was too exhausted to continue.

 

The team finished last and Robbins was accused of mental weakness and publicly ridiculed in the Australian media as "Lay-down Sally".

 

After the race Robbins was slapped by the crew's captain Catriona Sens.

 

Even the then Prime Minister John Howard got involved

 

A similar thing had happened in the women's quad at the 2002 World Championships in Seville when, with Australia coasting to victory, Robbins dropped her oar and the team were beaten.

 

On Rowing Australia's website athletes profile page, Robbins personal motto is recorded as "Never surrender the dream".

 

West Australian Institute of Sport head of cycling Darryl Benson said Robbins had the potential to follow Romero and become a success.

 

He said: "People have got to understand Sally is wanting to find a fresh direction and deserves a go.

 

"Sally is quite serious about her cycling."

 

Robbins had been a national-standard BMX rider when she was younger. 

 

Benson said: "She's not treating the switch in sport as some novelty.

 

"Both rowing and cycling are endurance sports and rowers have shown they can adapt very easily to cycling."