OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: London too soon for youngster Smith

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat, London 2012

ZOE Smith believes London 2012 has come four years too soon for her to become an Olympic weightlifting medallist.

LOOKING AHEAD: Zoe Smith delighted to represent Great Britain at home but remains determined to use Games as experience for Rio 2016

The 18-year-old insists she will use the home Games as experience for Rio 2016 where she is confident of being in a better position to challenge for gold.

The Greenwich-born weightlifter knows that admission will surprise some, but she makes no excuses for looking at the bigger picture.

"I have never said I am aiming for any sort of medal this time around," she said.

"I think it is just the public want to put medals around your neck just for being at the Olympics, and I think because it is Team GB they expect you to be getting medals.

"Unfortunately that's not the case for me, I've only been in the sport for six years compared to some of them who have probably been lifting since six years before I was even born.

"It is all about personal bests for me this time. As disappointing as that might be for some people it is still a massive achievement for me just to be in London."

Smith takes to the platform in the 58kg class at the ExCel on Monday.

© Sportsbeat 2012