BEACH VOLLEYBALL: The Australian beach volleyball pairing of Natalie Cook and Tamsin Hinchley are already Olympic veterans and the pair are looking to make this campaign one to remember.

Despite having experienced four previous Olympic Games, it is obvious that the 2012 London Olympics has special meaning for Cook.

“This is the most exciting of the Games I have been to,” Cook said from their first training session at Horse Guard's Parade.

“It’s been the toughest challenge to get here. People talk about how, the harder it is the more rewarding it is and we’re really excited to be here. It has been a long four years to get here and we are excited to be here and have the opportunity.”

Cook and Hinchley have been given a difficult first up match, facing two-time defending champions Misty May and Kerrie Walsh. But it is a challenge Cook is looking forward too.

“We’ve drawn the champs, and that is a good thing,” Cook said.

“We get to play them in the rounds rather than the knock-out stage. They have had a couple of weeks off and we have been playing, so hopefully we can catch them off guard. We feel match ready.”

With experience comes perspective, and Cook believes that the pairing have adjusted their game over the years.

“Our maturity level has changed,” Cook said.

“We approach the game differently now. It’s not so bang-bang-bang. We are looking forward to putting our maturity stamp on the Games.”

Kevin Diggerson in London
olympics.com.au