Former rugby player rows into London 2012 involvement

By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat 

SHE'S tackled the world's fiercest oceans to raise money for the critically ill children she treats - but nurse Elin Haf Davies admits carrying the Olympic Torch could be her scariest challenge of all.

ROWING ON: Former Wales rugby player Elin Haf Davies couldn't be more merry about the prospect of carrying the London 2012 Olympic torch when it tours the country next summer

Only 8,000 people will run with the Flame next year and Davies, who has rowed nearly 6,000 miles across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for charity, has been officially named as one of them.

The 35-year-old battled the Atlantic with colleague Herdip Sidhu in December 2007 and 14 months later assembled a crew to cross the Indian Ocean - raising almost £250,000 by doing so.

Davies was told of her successful nomination by five-time Olympic swimmer Mark Foster but, despite her stability on water, she insists running with the Flame on land next year courtesy of Lloyds TSB is more than intimidating.

"The unveiling was absolutely phenomenal. I was just at work and then I looked up and there was Mark Foster," said former rugby player Davies - who now works for the European Medicine Agency.

"Knowing that there were so many thousands of outstanding entries nominated who deserve it too, it is really humbling that I have won.

"In 2005 I was dropped from the international Welsh rugby squad. I was a prop forward and I was really upset so I decided to do something completely different.

"And you can't get much different than sailing around the Atlantic and then the Indian Ocean. It was a fantastic experience and we raised a lot of money too so it was well worth it.

"But I am nervous about the whole thing, because as a prop forward running isn't really my thing so to do it in front of millions is quite daunting.

"So there is some apprehension there but it is going to be something I will never forget so I am really looking forward to it."

And Foster, a six-time world champion, couldn't hide his delight at breaking the news to Davies admitting there are few more deserving to carry the Olympic Torch next year.

"Giving the news to Elin was fantastic as she was so made up and seeing the excitement on her face was brilliant," said Foster.

"And Elin is a great ambassador and she has done some fantastic stuff for charity, sailing the world's oceans is no mean feat that's for sure.

"When you hear these stories it makes you very proud to be British and I am so pleased other people will get to hear these stories."

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