Sophie Williams

Name: Sophie Williams
Age: 21
Place of birth: Rinteln, Germany
Current hometown: Truro
First senior international major event: July 2011
Best international result: 3rd in Madrid Junior World Cup, 2010
 
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? It didn't really sink in for the first day or two, it was a really surreal moment!
 
Where were you when you were given the news?
I was in London for a training camp.
 
Who did you tell first?
My parents, they were very proud.
 
How do you feel to be representing Great Britain in your home country?
Words don't really cover it, it's an incredible honour, and I'm very proud to be British.
 
What aspect of being part of the Olympics are you most looking forward to?
All of it! But the home crowd's support is probably going to be the best part.
 
What do you expect the atmosphere to be like?
Electric and patriotic, a summer to never forget.
 
What is your goal for the Olympics?
To gain as much experience as possible and put in a great performance.
 
What will it be like staying in the athlete’s village?
I don't think anything can prepare you for it, just the sheer scale of it will be awesome.
 
Are there any Olympic sports which are known for having particularly rowdy / partying athletes in the village?
I'm not sure yet, I guess I'll find out in a few weeks!
 
How is the team going to be preparing together over the summer?
We are in the GB holding camp at Loughborough 18 – 25 July and then we move to the Olympic Village. We are training hard with our sparring partners and working together as a team to prepare.
 
What will be your main area of focus in the build up to the Olympics?
Really just psychologically preparing for it, it's unlike anything I will have done before, so I have to make sure I'm ready. I’m also trying to maintain fitness and making sure my technique is at its best.
 
Is your training routine going to change at all? How?
Well I'll be training in London and Loughborough instead of Cornwall over the next few weeks, but other than that it shouldn't change too much.
 
Is your diet going to change? What will it be?
Just making sure that I keep my protein intake up and eating lots of fruit and veg, also trying to stay off the cake until after the games (my team mates will know how hard that is for me!).
 
Do you have a special breakfast on the morning of a competition?
I try and get a breakfast that has complex carbs for slow release energy and also some protein.
 
What will be key to your success on the day?
It'll be down to my preparation, which I hope will be spot on.
 
Other than fencing, which sport are you looking forward to seeing most at the Olympics?
Any of them! I'd like to see some athletics and maybe gymnastics.
 
What will be the Olympic legacy for fencing?
Hopefully to inspire young people to get into sport, I think that there is a sport out there for everybody, you just have to find it.