James Davis

Name: James Davis
Age: 20
Height: 196cm
Hometown: London
Discpline: Men's Foil
World ranking: 42nd
 
Is this your first Olympics?
Yes
 
How did you feel when the BFA contacted you to tell you that you had been selected for the GB Olympic fencing squad?
I was contacted by my Performance Director. I have had a good season and knew I stood a good chance of being selected, however hearing the words still felt so special. To know all the hard work over the past four years has paid off.
 
Where were you when you were given the news?
In my car driving home from the supermarket, after having bought some last minute things before we flew to South Korea for another competition.
 
Who did you tell first?
I called my parents immediately to give them the good news.
 
How do you feel to be representing Great Britain in your home country?
It’s a great honour to be able to represent my country at any event and at any time around the World.  However to be given the opportunity to represent my country and the London 2012 Olympics in front of a home crowd and have their support is overwhelming and is the greatest honour I could have.  I just hope I get celebrate with them as well.
 
What aspect of being part of the Olympics are you most looking forward to?
Competing to win the Olympics.  It’s what I have worked for all my life. The rest is all a bonus.
 
What do you expect the atmosphere to be like?
It should be incredible. Last year I competed in the World Student Games in Shenzen, China, which is only second to the Olympics, and the atmosphere there was amazing. 10,000 athletes all living in one site. We couldn't leave the village without being recognised as athletes of the games.
 
What is your goal for the Olympics?
My goal is to become the Olympic Champion.
 
What will it be like staying in the athlete’s village?
I’m not sure. Being part of the student games was great. There was so much to do, so I expect it to be on a bigger scale to that.
 
Are there any Olympic sports which are known for having particularly rowdy / partying athletes in the village?
I don’t know, not that I’ve heard of.
 
How is the team going to be preparing together over the summer?
It’s a new team, but we are jelling well. We are working hard every day together, and just hope that we can all perform on the day.
 
What will be your main area of focus in the build up to the Olympics?
Fitness is crucial. We are working hard to make sure that we are the fittest we could be going onto the games.
 
Is your training routine going to change at all? How?
It’s become more intense and will incorporate extra sessions in the afternoon.
 
Is your diet going to change? What will it be?
No. I am eating good healthy food, so will continue to do this through the games.
 
Do you have a special breakfast on the morning of a competition?
No I don’t eat anything special; it can change for each competition.
 
What will be key to your success on the day?
Staying focused, and not letting the atmosphere and pressure get to me.
 
Other than fencing, which sport are you looking forward to seeing most at the Olympics?
I’d like to see the basketball - would love to see the American dream team playing.
 
What will be the Olympic legacy for fencing?
I hope that we will get a lot more youngsters involved in the sport, from all backgrounds. Especially from State schools.  The image of fencing being an expensive and elitist sport I hope will start to change.  We need a much bigger pool of young people to start picking from if we are to continue to compete at the highest levels in all sports.