With the qualification year already underway in many of the sports, the next Olympic Games, which kicks off in London in just over a year’s time, will be at the forefront of every athlete’s mind as they strive to qualify for the chance to represent their home countries.

Qualification is by no means easy or guaranteed, even for seasoned Olympians. Although he holds the current world record in the Marathon, and holds two Olympic Gold medals, G4S 4teen Mentor Haile Gebrselassie says qualifying for the Ethiopian Olympic team will be his focus over the next 12 months. The long distance runner recently announced that he will be taking on the Berlin Marathon on 25 September in an attempt to run a qualifying time.

Other G4S sponsored athletes are focused on the various Test Events that will be taking place at the Olympic venues over the next ten months ahead of the Games.

G4S 4teen BMX biker Mariana Pajon will represent her home country of Colombia in the BMX Olympic Test Event next month, which is one of the first events that will take place in the London 2012 Olympic Park.

G4S sponsored sailors have also qualified for the Test Event in sailing on the Olympic waters, which will simulate the Olympic competition, allowing only one boat from each country in every sailing class. G4S 4teen’s Juan Maegli will represent his home country of Guatemala in the Laser class and the G4S sponsored crew of Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes have qualified to represent Team GB in the 49er class.