• London 2012

Gunnell warns athletes that 2011 will be critical

Sally Gunnell believes this season will be crucial for athletes as they step up their preparations for London 2012.

Gunnell, who won gold in the 400m hurdles in Barcelona in 1992, believes the British team boasts a wealth of talent but much of Team GB's success in London next summer rests on this season's achievements.

"It's a critical year the year before - you want to be in shape," Gunnell told ESPN. "But you have still got over 12 months to perform on the big stage when it really matters."

With less than 500 days to go before the start of the Games, Gunnell admits that the British athletes will come under more pressure than she ever experienced as an athlete, but insists that the home support next summer will more than compensate.

"Anybody gets to that final and you have got a stadium full of people supporting you, that is an added advantage," Gunnell said. "You may find people are scraping into the final through their semis but they are in there, the pressure is on the others, they maybe haven't done the fastest qualifying time.

"But when you have got everybody cheering you and it ups your game it has been proven time and time again.

"They have a lot to deal with, but that is all part of being a great athlete - it is how you deal with that pressure. Yes, you have got to work on how hard you train, your time and make sure you don't get injuries, but I think the whole mind situation is a strong part of it as well.

"They have got to learn to not let pressure get to them and stay very positive and they have to work on that with a year to go."

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