Natalie Cook arrives in Beijing, thinking golden thoughts

Natalie Cook in Beijing, wearing a big smilePhoto Gallery>>(BEIJING, August 3) -- Australia's Beach Volleyball player Natalie Cook arrived in Beijing this morning for her fourth consecutive Olympic Games.

Cook won bronze with Kerri Pottharst at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where Beach Volleyball made its Olympic debut. At Sydney 2000, the duo won gold in front of a home crowd. Four years later in Athens, Cook teamed up with Nicole Sanderson, but failed to secure a spot on the podium after losing to Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs of the US in the bronze medal match.

Cook has been preparing for Beijing 2008 with her third partner, Tasmin Barnett, who participated in indoor Volleyball at Sydney 2000 but will make her Olympic debut on the beach in 2008.

The four-time Olympian has never been to Beijing before and everything seemes to interest her.

During her interview with Sohu, Cook said that she arrived in Bejing with the gold in mind. However, she pointed out that there will be other outstanding teams at the Games, including the Chinese, who will be playing on home turf, the defending gold medalists from America and the ever-tough Brazilians.

With a partner that towers at a height of 193cm, Cook's backcourt efforts will be complemented by effective net defense. Wearing a confident smile, Cook told reporters "I will be in there with our boxing gloves on as well."