Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Returning home from Beijing with such a hugely talented group of athletes after being away for so long made me feel incredibly proud. We didn't realise how much the team had captured the country's imagination until we .

I was slightly jealous of missing out by 38cm on a business-class seat and the press conference and general adulation of the British public! I sat right at the back of the plane by the toilets feeling immensely proud to be British.

How do you reflect on coming ?

It's a strange feeling because it is a position you never really think about. Athletes will dream of medals and most would be lying if they said they had never wondered about performing badly. But fourth? I have mixed emotions.

Stepping off the track having given everything physically and mentally in my power, performing better than I ever have in my life and producing a new British record is a good feeling. But the fact that you can could do nothing about your competitors doing the same is slightly frustrating!

I am extremely proud to have been part of one of the in history and look forward to many more in the next few years. Unfortunately I might be around at the same time as some very gifted throwers for whom length of levers and height of release is not an issue. I cannot do anything about my height (apart from berate my mother for not having married an NBA basketballer!)

I do have other skills that they have not got and I believe I have lots . So the next four years is an exciting time for me and my coach. My only frustration (as it was out of my control) was that the clock on my final throw (you have one minute to start your throw) was started before I was called. I didn't have the time to fully prepare myself mentally for my final round.

I didn't think to argue with the official but 30 seconds was not enough. I am not one for what-ifs but i did feel sure that I was going to throw further.

The whole Olympics experience will stay with me forever. It is such an emotional time, yet throughout the two weeks you have to remain pretty emotionless - the release when it is all over is massive. It is very strange to think you have dedicated over four years to one day of intense pressure and excitement and parts of you think if it's worth it.

I can safely say that it was worth EVERY particle of blood, sweat, tears, and moods, heartbreak and emotion that comes with trying to be the best you can be.

And I can't wait for the drama to unfold up to and trying to win the thing that eluded me by 38cm this time round - an Olympic medal.

It wasn't all work and emotion. We had some fun too. My apartment I shared with runners , Helen Clitheroe and was never short of laughter and I thank them for helping to make my experience so enjoyable.

A highlight has to be the party held by the after the closing ceremony. It was great getting to know fellow team-mates in other sports who you hadn't seen for most of the Olympics. We pulled the sofas out of the apartments and reflected on a fantastic two weeks over a drink or three.

Another great memory was tapping me on the shoulder when I was watching a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ live feed of the athletics the night before my final. She was in the village leading around a group of young 2012 prospects. We got to know each other before the last Olympics. As well as a good friend, she is a childhood hero, so I still think it strange to get the odd text from her.

She told me she would be in the stadium for my final and didn't want to give me any wise words or good luck encouragement as she said I didn't need it. She did however look very excited and smiley and said to me "I'm not going to say anything to you other than this: my number in Sydney was 1833".

It was the very same number I was competing in. Although I've said you have to stay emotionless, that was a moment when I broke my own rule and shed a tear.

The Chinese of making it an unforgettable experience for athletes. I know London will to the Olympics making it the greatest show on earth for lots of different reasons. People may even start talking to each other on !

So I sit here on a flight to a competition in the Czech Republic in - the town where the newly crowned Olympic javelin champion comes from - and I'm still trying to work out how to summarize my Olympic experience.
It's been emotional.

One thing before I go is that I love the effect the Olympics has on those not involved or those not even sporty. I got some great cards and good luck wishes, but
HAS to be my favourite.