BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Natalie Cook holds the very rare distinction of being the only athlete to take part in every single Olympic beach volleyball competition.

Cook made her debut at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta when beach volleyball was first on the program and followed it up with appearances at Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and now the 2012 London Olympic Games.

She is also the first Australian women to be selected for five summer Olympic Teams.

The 37-year-old, who famously claimed a gold medal with Kerri Pottharst on Bondi Beach at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, will partner Tamsin Hinchley (nee Barnett) in London and enters the 2012 Olympic Games with the same enthusiasm she did back in 1996.

"Yesterday, putting the Olympic Team gear on was special,” Cook said. “In Atlanta I was 21 years-old and the youngest competitor in the competition. Now I’m 37 and I’m the oldest.

“In Atlanta I was young and everything was so exciting but this time it was very tough for Tamsin and myself to qualify but now I’m in London for my fifth Olympic Games and I’m as excited now as I was in Atlanta.”

Cook also reflected on the advancement beach volleyball had made since its Olympic debut in 1996 with the 2012 competition set to be played at one of the most iconic locations in the history of the Olympic Games – Horse Guards Parade.

“In 1996 we played out in the middle of nowhere on a car park, of course Sydney was so special because it was on Bondi Beach and now we are playing at one of the most iconic locations in London,” she said.

The women’s beach volleyball competition starts on Saturday 28 July with Australia represented by Cook and Hinchley, as well as Louise Bawden and Becchara Palmer. Bawden are Palmer are the top seeded Australians after performing really well over the long qualification period.

Bawden played with Hinchley on the Australian indoor team at Sydney 2000. It is her first beach Olympic competition and the Olympic debut for 24 year-old Palmer.

David Mason in London
Olympics.com.au