IT is one year since London 2012 captured the attention of the nation.

In a series of special reports, each day this week we look at where Warrington's Olympic heroes are now.

A record five took to the start line in London.

And we look at the wider question of legacy in town.

Today, we speak to rower Olivia Whitlam.

OARSWOMAN Olivia Whitlam says she has loved life after rowing including getting reacquainted with cream and cheese and enjoying ‘life in the real world’.

The 27-year-old, who is now back living with her parents in Daresbury, retired following the games in London after the womens eight team finished fifth in the final.

Since then she has had an eventful year jetting to the Seychelles for a month working on a turtle conservation project, not ‘worrying about enjoying herself’ and working for Siemens in Manchester.

She said: “After the games I wasn’t 100 per cent sure (about retiring) and went back to do some training and then I knew.

“I’m really enjoying my job and couldn’t believe it when I could have the Easter bank holiday off as I’ve not had that since I was 18.

“It was such a privilege to be able to go see events in the Olympics like the dressage, showjumping and synchronised swimming which was amazing to watch.”

 

After winning world bronze in 2011 and the same colour medal at the last World Cup of the season in Munich in June, Olivia adds the disappointment of missing out on the podium in London will stick with her forever.

She said: “The games were so tough and coming fifth was not our intention.

“We knew a couple of weeks before the games something was not right and there was a lot of pressure, especially when the rest of the team were doing well.

“When you do tough things at work people ask ‘Are you nervous?’ but it’s nothing compared to sitting on the Olympic final start line and knowing you’re not going to win after 10 years of really hard training.

“Nobody is going to recognise you as a rower as it’s such a team sport but sometimes I get a lot of questions about it when people find out.”