LONDON 2012: Murray adamant she can keep up Britain's tradition

By Barrie White, Sportsbeat

SAMANTHA Murray has the kit, the medal credentials and most definitely the confidence.

PODIUM AMBITION: World bronze medallist Samantha Murray wants a medal at the London 2012 Olympics

Now the British modern pentathlete is determined to fuse the three and deliver an Olympic medal on debut at London 2012.

The finishing touches to Murray's Olympic preparations came earlier this month when she lived the life of a top model in Loughborough and received her Stella McCartney-designed Team GB kit.

For Murray those bag loads of kit were the result of a vintage last 12 months which culminated with the 22-year-old upstaging the likes of Beijing Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell in gaining selection for London 2012.

A World Championship bronze medal was the most vital component in her Olympic selection - a medal that leaves a bullish Murray adamant she can be among the stars of the London show.

"I'm not just turning up to make up the numbers - I'm there to win a medal," she said. "I am a medal contender.

"I feel like my hard-work has paid off and people are treating me as a serious athlete. But there is still a long way to go and a lot to do in order to get that medal.

"I think I have laid down a marker with that bronze medal. People are aware now of what I am capable of achieving.

"Although I am young it wasn't a surprise winning that bronze because at the previous competition, which was a World Cup at a similar level, I took a medal as well.

"I think I can still improve a lot in all the different areas of pentathlon. I wasn't surprised at being picked. I won a medal at the world champs and I beat the others so I think it was quite clear-cut.

"At the minute I feel like I am gearing myself up to make the podium and of course I would be disappointed if I didn't come away with what I wanted."

If Murray does deliver on her stated goals she will continue an impressive run from British women modern pentathletes at the Games.

Since women were allowed to compete in the modern pentathlon at the Olympics in 2000, Britain have won a medal at every Games and Murray insists London is no different for her and her teammates.

"I feel excited about the Olympics but also quite level-headed in terms of my approach," she added. "The whole team is looking to win medals.

"We are not going just to have a good time there. I suppose there is some pressure but I think it is just a matter of this is what we do and it is a case of going out and doing it."

© Sportsbeat 2012