• London Olympics 2012

Don't fear London crowd - Sanderson

Tessa Sanderson has urged Team GB to enjoy every moment when they step out in front of a home crowd at London 2012.

Sanderson, who competed in six consecutive Olympic Games between 1976 and 1996, won javelin gold at Los Angeles in 1984.

Sanderson never had the chance to compete in front of a home crowd in the Olympics, but won Commonwealth gold in Edinburgh in 1986, and she has urged British athletes to make the most of a home Games.

Sanderson warned athletes of the dangers of inadequate training, but insists that if an athlete is fully prepared they should have nothing to fear.

"Because it is going to be on home ground a lot of people will feel they have got to do something different," Sanderson told ESPN. "Don't do that - they have just got to make sure they do the training and preparation and put that in the right order and make sure the technical part of it is right, and that will help calm the soul.

"When they go out and compete in front of their home crowd it's not going to be a shock; they must remember it is our crowd, and they are there for them to compete well. I loved competing at Crystal Palace, and going out there and wanting that javelin to wheel out because when it left my hand my crowd told me it was a good one.

"Never fear your own crowd, they are only there for you and they are there because they want to see you kick the others' butts. Have confidence in that - it is going to be a great feeling and it will inspire you to do well, if you have done the work - if you haven't done the work, then you will have a problem."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.