Australian gymnastics champion Lauren Mitchell first got a taste for the sport when as a six-year-old her parents threw her a double decker bus party, with gym games inside.

That was 14 years ago and thousands of hours of training have happened since then.

She first made it onto the world stage in 2007 by making the beam final at the World Championships. She rose to prominence at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and in 2010 became the first Australian World Champion.

Olympic TOP Sponsor VISA is well aware of her prospects of winning Australia’s first artistic medal at the Olympics. Today they announced her as an Olympic ambassador along with sporting greats including swimmer Michael Phelps and shot put gold medallist Valerie Adams as the face of its London 2012 Olympic Games campaign.

Perth-born Lauren, will soon be a household name in Australia as she takes centre stage in Visa’s Olympic-themed marketing campaign that goes to air on Thursday 24 November.

“The Olympic Games begin and end with the athletes and we’re excited to have Lauren join Visa as our first Australian Olympic ambassador,” said Vipin Kalra, Visa’s Country Manager, Australia.

“Lauren is a true inspiration to thousands of young gymnasts around the country and we are proud to be supporting Lauren in what will be one of the greatest sporting challenges of her life.”

Visa’s new “Go World” television campaign which gives cardholders the chance to win a trip for two to the London 2012 Olympic Games every week for 25 weeks* features Mitchell performing some of her signature routines.

A second phase of the campaign will use social media to allow Aussie fans to follow her journey to the Games.

“I’m honoured to join so many world-class athletes who are part of Team Visa,” said Mitchell. “Winning an Olympic gold medal has been a dream of mine since I was a child and it’s great to know I’ve got Visa and the rest of Australia behind me as I head to London.”

The Australian gymnastics team secured their spot for the London 2012 Olympic Games at the world championships in Tokyo last month. Lauren will be looking to build on her previous success of becoming the first Australian woman to win a gymnastics world title after collecting four gold medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

For 25 years, Visa has sponsored the Olympic Games and provided valuable marketing exposure and financial support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they pursue their dreams of competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Leading up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Visa will support more than 50 individual athletes and national teams from more than 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, China, South Africa and Russia.

Visa’s athlete selection process is based on a variety of criteria including their personal journey to the Olympic and Paralympics Games, athletic achievements, dedication to developing their sports, and active community involvement.