Sir Clive, now the British Olympic Association's (BOA) director of elite performance and the deputy Chef de Mission for the team in Beijing, was talking during a brief visit to the squad's training camp in Macau.

 

Sir Clive has been based in the Olympic Village in Beijing where he has been helping make sure that preparations are in order for the team's arrival for the Games, which open next week.

 

During the visit he toured some of the training facilities being used by British athletes in their final build-up to Beijing, meeting athletes and coaches.

 

He has also been to Hong Kong to meet athletes preparing for the equestrian competitions at the Games.

Sir Clive said: “This is my first Olympic Games and I’ve been blown away by the experience so far.

 

“It’s the world’s biggest event.

 

"It’s going to be a spectacular Games and I feel hugely lucky and privileged to be involved.

“It’s a wonderful experience and I’m just looking forward to the competition starting.

 

“You can see the excitement in the athletes and coaches who are just days away from getting stuck into it.”

Sir Clive was speaking after watching Team GB gymnasts training at the Macau East Asian Games Dome, one of the state-of-the-art facilities being used in Macau by British athletes to fine-tune their preparations for Beijing.

He said: “We have got to get this bit right for that last short window before the Games.

 

"The last preparation time is hugely critical to delivering on the day.

“I’ve spoken to a some of the coaches and teams and everyone seems happy with the facilities that the BOA has provided.

“The Macau authorities have gone out of their way to allow us to prepare properly for the Games.

“We’re here to deliver and make sure we back up the athletes and coaches.

 

"We need to help every sport, every athlete and every coach to arrive at their event in fine fettle.

“All we can look for is for athletes and coaches to do their best.”