Between them, the Team GB 2012 Ambassadors can draw upon experience of winning 51 Olympic medals, including 27 gold medals.

"The Olympics are pretty daunting, and the fact that these will be a home Games is going to be even worse in some ways," Sir Steve said.

"It's great if the majority in a stadium are cheering for you, but that also means added pressure.

"We are going to be able to pass valuable information over to competitors about how best to handle that.

"I hope I can use my vast experience of competing in the Olympic environment to help prepare members of the team to deal with the pressure, the scrutiny, the highs and the lows.

"But also to make the most of one of the most special moments in their lives; being an Olympian, in front of a home crowd. Hopefully I can help enable them to achieve their dreams, like I did mine."

Dame Kelly commented: "Seventy per cent of our team will be experiencing their first Olympics.

"The statistics say that 70 per cent won't win medals, but we are hoping to alter that."

She added that she and her fellow Ambassadors would be able to keep contact with competitors over an extended period of time as they went through Olympic test events this year.

"When we reach that point we will be asking them questions like 'What should you be doing now to make a difference?

"How can you build on what you have?'

"That's where we will be able to add a huge amount to the team."

The Team GB 2012 Ambassadors are:  Adrian Moorhouse, Amir Khan, Amy Williams, Christopher Dean, Colin Jackson , Darren Campbell, David Hemery, Denise Lewis, Duncan Goodhew, James Cracknell , James DeGale, Jayne Torvill, Jonathan Edwards, Kelly Holmes, Kriss Akabusi , Lynn Davies, Mary Peters, Rhona Martin, Roger Black, Robin Cousins, Sally Gunnell, Sharron Davies, Shirley Robertson, Steve Backley, Steve Redgrave, Tessa Sanderson and Tim Henman.

The Ambassadors will offer their voluntary help to British athletes and the wider Team GB to achieve their Olympic ambitions.


Their duties will involve engaging with a programme to support the friends and family of athletes in the lead-up to and during the Games; motivational speaking and answering questions from groups of athletes and sports; involvement at London 2012 Test Events; visiting the Team GB Preparation Camp in Loughborough and helping to create that 'special moment' when athletes receive their kit and truly feel like they are going to the Olympic Games; and through their attendance at Team GB fundraising events.

British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan said:"The Team GB 2012 Ambassadors will create an important connection between our Olympic heroes of yesterday, who have provided us with so many unforgettable moments of great achievement and British pride, with the stars of today and tomorrow, who will be inspired through their engagement with the Ambassadors to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by competing at a home Olympic Games."

"It is not just the athletes we have to think about; the support behind Team GB is just as important, the coaches, the support staff, the sports, the friends and families who have supported athletes throughout their careers.

"Helping the wider 'Team GB family' deal with the unique Olympic environment – and the specific pressure of being at home will also be a key part of the Ambassadors role."

Team GB 2012 Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: "The announcement of the Team GB 2012 Ambassadors is an exciting moment in the development of Team GB – Our Greatest Team - at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"Team GB will be the largest single team to represent the nation in any sporting event for over 100 years, consisting of over 500 athletes and with the support of the whole of the UK, Our Greatest Team is 60 million strong.

"The Ambassadors will play a vital role at the heart of Team GB, inspiring the athletes, coaches, their families and everyone involved in Team GB's quest to make the nation proud with our performances at London 2012."

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