Elena Baltacha thrilled to keep up family's ... - BBC World News

British tennis player Elena Baltacha will draw on family experiences when she takes to the court to begin her London 2012 Olympic campaign. Elena Baltacha has already been an Olympic torch bearer in the build-up to London 2012 (Picture: Getty) The British number four has been selected as the host nation?s female singles? representative at London 2012, and will also compete with Anne Keothavong in the doubles. The Scot?s father Sergei won Olympic football bronze with the Soviet Union in 1980, and her athlete mother Olga was selected for the same Games but could not attend. Baltacha, who was born in Kiev, is proud to become the third member of her family to be selected to compete in the biggest multi-sports event in the world. ?It means a lot to me to represent my country,? said the 28-year-old, who lives and trains in Ipswich. ?I?m very passionate about that and to be given that opportunity especially with the Olympics being here at home, I think I still have to pinch myself to be honest. ?To believe that I am going to be an Olympian, it just means so much to me. ?My dad won bronze in the 1980 Moscow Olympics with football, and my mum got selected but couldn?t go in the end because she had to look after my brother. ?The fact I am an Olympian now as well, to add that to the family history is just absolutely amazing and they have been very, very supportive. ?My mum is actually coming down, to be part of it, and I can?t wait to see my mum and to experience that with her will be fantastic.? WATCH: Elena Baltacha on London 2012

Source: http://bbc-worldnews.net/2012/07/elena-baltacha-thrilled-to-keep-up-familys-olympic-link-at-london-2012/

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