Parrish (pictured top) reached the finals of both the T38 100 metres and 200m in Beijing despite suffering with a niggling injury at the age of just 17.

She came fifth in the 200m and eighth in the 100m, and Parrish said that she is determined to improve on that in London.

Parrish (pictured below, second right) said: "I was so young in Beijing.

"I enjoyed being there so much but my body was not as strong as it should be and I couldn't deliver what I thought I was capable of.

"Unfortunately for me my luck didn't get much better, because six weeks before the World Championships last year I was struck down with a stress fracture and that meant I wasn't able to go.

"I suppose London is about personal redemption if that makes sense.

"I've missed out on performing at my best the past two times I have made an Australian team and for that reason I want to deliver in London and if that's a medal then fantastic."


Parrish is not only competing in the 100m and 200m, but also the 4x100m, and she insists her body "is ready for this time around."

Parrish suffers from cerebral palsy which affects the left side of her body, yet she was still a determined sports person in her youth, playing netball, touch football and water polo.

In 2006 she took up athletics after being spotted at a talent search day, and made her Paralympic debut just two years later.

Last year she won a gold and two silver medals at the 2011 Arafura Games to cement her place as one of Australia's leading track and field stars.

Parrish will be part of the 43 strong athletics squad representing Australia at the Paralympics, the largest contingent for any one sport for the country at London 2012.

Australia also has the largest number of athletes travelling to London, with the 161 competitors at the Paralympics bettered only by the hosts, Britain.

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