“Ever since I was tripped after leading the Beijing Olympic marathon and breaking my rib at the 10-mile point, London 2012 was a priority. Although I still finished that race in 2008, I felt I had unfinished business.

Shortly after Beijing I fell again, but this time pregnant. This certainly changes your perspective and priorities. My daughter Ruby is almost three. I’d banked marathons in Chicago, London and Frankfurt in 2010 and 2011 but the reality was that the 2012 Virgin London Marathon last month was going to be the final crack for one of five contenders, including me, to bag the final London 2012 women’s marathon spot. World record-holder Paula Radcliffe and sixth-placer in Beijing, Mara Yamauchi, had been pre-selected.

Competition was fierce and I knew it was going to take a personal best to qualify.

It wasn’t my day and I saw my place slip away. I’ve been an international runner for 23 years and it is exciting to see the next generation of promising talent coming through to fill my shoes. Claire Hallisey secured her first Olympic marathon berth with a superb personal best of 2hr 27min.

On Thursday, the Olympic flame was lit in Athens, the ancient home of the Olympic Games, and it now begins its journey to London coming via Bournemouth and Poole in July.

My first Olympic experience was in Athens in 2004 and it was amazing. I know how those younger athletes are feeling as they seek to gain selection for the greatest show on Earth. For some, there will be disappointment, and others euphoria.

Being an athlete at the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of a career and this will be the first time in my life that I haven’t been striving for my place or enjoying the thrill of being a competitor.

That said, there is so much the Games offers and we can all participate, some as volunteers, spectators, Games Makers, or watching on the TV.”