We are supporting three athletes in their quests to compete at the London 2012 Games.

All three are serious medal prospects for the London 2012 Games. They represent the focus and determination of athletes the world over, and we are proud to support their bids to compete for the UK.

Tim Brabants

Tim Brabants: Kayak

Tim Brabants was awarded an MBE after becoming the first Briton to win Olympic gold in the kayak in Beijing in 2008. In 2010, Tim gave up his full-time job as a doctor to focus on the London 2012 Games. After six months of intensive training combined with years of international racing experience, he won silver at the sprint canoe world championships and says he is now entirely focused on his sport:

"It’s become my life. I don’t have much of a social life, but it’s the only way to operate if you’re serious about competing for a medal."

www.timbrabants.com

Richard Whitehead

Richard Whitehead: 200m sprint

Richard Whitehead, a double congenital amputee, is hoping to compete in the Marathon at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. At the end of 2009, in Rome, he became the first ever leg amputee to break the 3-hour barrier for the marathon, with a time of 2:56:45. In 2011, he started to run the 200m and is now the World Champion and World Record holder.

"With Freshfields’ help, hopefully I can pass on a message of hope through my dedication to sport and be an inspiration to all. If I could sum up everything I do, it would be what’s tattooed on my arm – 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man'."

www.marathonchamp.com

Lucy Onyeforo

Lucy Onyeforo: 100m sprint

Lucy Onyeforo is hoping to compete in the 100m sprint at London 2012. She combines her training with a career as a paralegal at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and although juggling both was initially challenging, she says strict time management and the support of her colleagues is the key to making it work.

Lucy was spotted by former Olympian and World Champion Linford Christie in December 2010 and is currently one of 19 athletes training in 'Team Christie', which also includes 2010 Commonwealth silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis and 2008 Olympian Laura Turner.

"Linford is a very inspirational coach,’ she says. ‘He knows first hand what it takes to get to the top. He’s realistic about people’s chances of winning, and he believes I can be successful. I’m making sure that I get into the shape of my life and stay injury free. And I’m doing everything I can to make that happen."