With the Olympics only 18 days away, there is a record 48 West Australian’s that have been selected to represent Australia in Beijing. There are athletes representing WA at the Olympics this year in Athletics, Boxing, Canoeing (Slalom and Flat water), Cycling (BMX and Track), Equestrian, Football (Soccer), Gymnastics, Hockey, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Taekwondo, Tennis and Water Polo.

I spoke to two WA athletes that are Beijing Bound – Goalkeeper for the Australian Football team, Perth Glory player Tando Velaphi and Australian rower Ben Cureton. This will be Velaphi’s first Olympic experience, but Cureton has represented Australia in Athens – winning silver in the men's lightweight four. It gave me an insight into what goes into becoming an Olympic Athlete.

BEN CURETON

So how does it feel to think you'll be representing Australia? I never think much about it until I get my uniform.

How often do you train, and what's involved? I train 12 times a weeks (about 30 hours) mostly rowing on the river but plenty of cycling in the hills, weights and running.

At the moment we are training in Sydney with some other Australian crews. A few times a week we train in a heat chamber to get ready for the heat and humidity of Beijing. We should take up smoking to get used to the pollution. Lots of television and 6 square meals a day.

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up'? I think I wanted to be an athlete. unless you consider watching television to be an occupation.

What's the nuttiest thing you've ever done? Roller skated from Bunbury to Perth in 17 hours.

What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you wish more people could know? I have trouble saying No. I wish I could say no to peoples crazy plans like riding from Kalgoorlie to Perth or saying I would be happy to be in a rowing race that is 5000km across the Indian ocean next year.

If you weren’t rowing, what you be doing? Farming (how good are farms).

TANDO VELAPHI

So how does it feel to think you'll be representing Australia? Feels fantastic and it’s nice to know that all the hard work is paying off

How often do you train, and what's involved? Usually bout 7 sessions a week which involves ball work, gym, conditioning and match practice.

Over the last few weeks we’ve had a number of training camps across the nation. The latest of which was in Darwin, which was done to help us try and acclimatise to the conditions we might experience in Beijing. We depart for some lead up games across Asia on the 17th of July, and then countdown our last few days until our first game in Beijing.

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up'? A professional sportsman.

What's the nuttiest thing you've ever done? Bungee Jumping.

What is something that not a lot of people know about you but you wish more people could know? I’m pretty decent in the kitchen.

Does anyone out there know someone that’s heading to Beijing this year, or that has represented Australia at the Olympics in the past. It must be an amazing experience! Or is anyone heading off to Beijing to watch our country do us proud?