Baltacha's family pride at Olympic spot
Baltacha's family pride at Olympic spot
Elena Baltacha will draw on family experiences when she takes to the court to begin her Olympic campaign in London.
The
British number four has been selected as the home nation's female
singles' representative at London 2012, and will also compete with Anne
Keathavong in the doubles.
The Scot's father Sergei won Olympic football bronze with the Soviet
Union in 1980, and her athlete mother Olga was selected for the same
Games but didn't attend.Baltacha, who was born in Kiev, is proud to become the third member of her family to be selected to compete in the biggest multi-sports event in the world.
"It means a lot to me to represent my country," said the 28-year-old, who lives and trains in Ipswich.
"I'm very passionate about that and to be given that opportunity especially with the Olympics being here at home, I think I still have to pinch myself to be honest.
"To believe that I am going to be an Olympian, it just means so much to me.
"My dad won bronze in the 1980 Moscow Olympics with football, and my mum got selected but couldn't go in the end because she had to look after my brother.
"The fact I am an Olympian now as well, to add that to the family history is just absolutely amazing and they have been very, very supportive.
"My mum is actually coming down, to be part of it, and I can't wait to see my mum and to experience that with her will be fantastic."
