TAVISTOCK modern pentathlon star Heather Fell left London

yesterday on her way to making her Olympic debut in

Beijing.

The 25-year-old will compete in the five events of épée

fencing, pistol shooting, 200m freestyle swimming, show jumping

and cross-country running.

The multi-talented pentathlete is one of two women in the

Team GB line-up for the event and will be competing alongside

Katy Livingston in a one-day showdown on August 22.

Olympic qualification restricts each country to two

competitors, and the 25-year-old hopes that might work to her

advantage.

Speaking to The Herald, Heather's mother Doreen said: "She's

feeling fine and quite focused. She hasn't shown her

nerves.

"She struggles most with fencing but swimming is her

strongest sport.

"Her riding will depend on the animal on the day – horses

are chosen by ballot so it depends on how careful it's feeling

on its feet."

Heather burst on the international scene in 2003 by winning

the World Junior Championships in Athens, but suffered a series

of shin injuries that seriously restricted her training.

In 2007, she won her first medal on the World Cup circuit –

a bronze in Moscow – and followed it up with an individual

silver at the 2007 European Championships in Latvia to achieve

the Olympic qualifying standard.

Doreen said: "It is a tremendous achievement, just to get to

the Olympic stage itself so fingers crossed – hopefully she'll

get things right on the day. As one of my uncles pointed out –

there's only one in so many people on the planet to get into

the Olympics. She's worked jolly hard."

Doreen and Nick left Heather yesterday morning with Olympic

riding coach Jabeena Maslin – who will accompany her and

Livingston to Beijing. They will fly out to join her on August

20, two days before her Olympic appearance.

Doreen spoke of the people going to Beijing to support

Heather, including family friends Gill and James Allenby –

parents of fellow Tavistock athlete Kate Allenby, who won a

bronze at the 2000 Games in Sydney.

She said: "Kate's mum Gill taught Heather to shoot at the

age of eight. They've always been tremendously supportive.

"Kate has been a strong inspiration to Heather. When she saw

that it was possible for a friend to get to the Olympics and to

gain a medal I think it made it seem all the more

achievable."

THE ACTION

TUESDAY

HOCKEY: Jon Bleby, Men’s preliminaries 1.30pm-3.00pm

WEDNESDAY

DIVING: Tonia Couch, Women’s preliminaries noon-3.10pm

SWIMMING: Cassie Patten, 10km marathon 2am-4.30am

THURSDAY

HOCKEY: Jon Bleby, KO Round? 1.30am-3.00am

DIVING: Tonia Couch, Women’s Semis 3am-4.20am

Finals 1pm- 2.10pm

FRIDAY

DIVING: Tom Daley, Men’s Preliminary 3am-4.20am

MODERN PENTATHLON: Heather Fell, Women’s shooting, fencing,

riding, running commences 1.30am

SATURDAY

DIVING: Tom Daley, Men’s semis 3am-4.20am, finals

1pm-2.20pm

HOCKEY: Jon Bleby, KO Round? 1.30am-3am