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This time around I have a greater appreciation for what it means to call yourself an Olympian; but at the same time I am even more aware that it is all about my rowing.

Annabel Vernon (second from right) made her international debut in the eight in Lucerne (Picture: Getty)

On the one hand, becoming an Olympian is an indescribable feeling because it encompasses not just sporting ability, but also those Corinthian ideals of equality and achievement. Whether a British rower, a Kenyan marathon runner or a Hungarian weightlifter, all compete equally with equal respect for each other and all are there in pursuit of the Olympic ideals of

At the same time, however, I'm not aiming for the Olympics for any reason other than to be a part of a very fast British women's eight and to see how fast we can make that eight go.

But back to the here and now. Following the team announcement, we've returned to the coalface to continue our preparation for the third of the three-regatta World Cup series, in Munich next weekend.

Unlike the mainstream sports which play matches weekly, we have only a few events every year in which to test ourselves before the World Championships or Olympic Games, meaning there's far less room for error. Of course we practise racing against each other within the British team, but nothing can truly prepare for the international stage.

The second World Cup, in the Swiss town of Lucerne two weeks ago, held some interesting challenges as I made my international debut in the women's eight, meaning I've moved from two oars (sculling) to one oar (sweep).

This transfer is perhaps similar to the differences between water-skiiing and wakeboarding, and it didn't take long to feel comfortable in this slightly different movement. A greater challenge than moving from two oars to one, though, was moving from small boats to the Tyrannasaurus Rex of rowing, the big daddy ... the eight.

What stands out is simply the sheer number of people involved: eight tall, opinionated, confident women, shepherded in our case by Ealing's finest cox, Caroline O'Connor.

There is a huge amount of energy created and the challenge is to channel that energy into perfect synchronicity, in a racing environment which is the noisiest, the most aggressive, the fastest and most furious of all the different boat types.

In the pair, Helen Glover is able to whisper into ear in order to coax more effort out of her; if a cox needs more speed she'll scream at the top of her voice down her microphone to reach the bow pair who are 50 foot away from her.

However, representing your country at an international sporting event is a pretty awesome experience in whatever boat class and from my first regatta wearing a Union flag (Amsterdam, 2004) it was an environment that I immediately loved and felt at home in.

Along with the physical effort required, I loved the mental game of performing to my best on the day and going out to test myself against the best in the world. In the quad in 2007-8, for example, I was pitched against the and I relished having the opportunity of racing one of the most successful rowers ever.

I think that's one of the main attractions of the Olympics - as athletes we strive to be the best, and for that fortnight every four years not only will I be at my best, but so will all my competitors.

Representing my country at sport is something I will never take for granted and every chance I have to wear the Union flag is a huge honour.

And getting to sit on an international start line, hands resting on your oar handle, eyes fixed on the starting light, muscles fizzing with anticipation, is unmatchable.