Archery: Terry returns to the Olympics after 16-year hiatus

(BEIJING, 6 August) -- Returning to Archery after 12 years in retirement, Simon Terry (GBR) has spent the last three years trying to get back to the form that won him the Individual and Team Bronze medals in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Terry's return has not come without sacrifice. Before picking up the bow and arrow again in 2005, he worked full-time as a truck driver, a job he has had to give up to train and travel.

But the sacrifice is paying off. Terry has had considerable success leading up to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He placed fourth in the individual category at the 2007 world championships in Leipzig, Germany and won an individual bronze at the 2007 World Cup Stage in Dover, England.

"I take every match as it comes. If I shoot well and lose I will still be pleased."

While Terry has been successful in Individuals, he sees the Team as Great Britain's strong point. The British Team won a Gold medal from the 2007 World Cup Stage in Varese, Italy, and a Bronze medal from the 2007 World Championships.

"We've got a good team and we'll do well at these Games. Last year we did well and we hope to keep that run."

The team from Great Britain is the same team that competed in the 2007 world championships and World Cup Circuit. Alan Wills and Laurence Godfrey see the value of having Terry as their teammate.

"He's brilliant, one of the best archers in the world. He's the absolute opposite of what people want in an athlete, but he's so strong. When it comes to wind he is absolutely the best in the world," said Wills.

"We're like brothers," said Godfrey. "Simon is the silver fox because his hair is silver. Alan is just Willy (because his last name is Wills). And I'm Jethro - back home Jethro is a comedian."

In addition to a Team medal, Godfrey and Wills will be looking to make a mark individually. Godfrey finished fourth in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

"I've changed a lot of stuff since Athens. I'm just going to see how that comes out. It took a few years to work."

Wills has the Individual Silver medal from the World Cup Stage in Dover and the Individual Bronze medal from the 2007 World Championships in Leipzig, Germany. Wills also has the Bronze medal from the 2007 World Cup Final in Dubai.