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22/08/2008
A taste of things to come for Olympic Ambition trio
Three 2012 Olympic boxing prospects were hand picked by the GB Performance Management Group to attend the Olympic Games in Beijing as part of a programme designed to enhance athlete medal success at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Fred Evans of Wales, Robert Wright of Scotland and Martin Ward of England, along with GB coach Jim Davidson, flew out to China on Wednesday 15th August and spent two days at the Macau holding camp and two days in Beijing.
And while their Olympian counterparts were toughing it out in the preliminary stages of the competition, the trio got to experience behind the scenes at an Olympic Games without the pressure of having to actually take part! 
L-R: Martin Ward, Fred Evans, Jim Davidson and Robert Wright outside the Bird's Nest Stadium
Talented potential team members for 2012 included approximately 150 athletes and coaches from 33 disciplines who spent time in Macau and Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games.
The boxers joined Olympic hopefuls from a number of different sports
Fred, Robert and Martin had an opportunity to visit the holding camp in humid Macau, where the team completed final preparations for the Games, as well as the Olympic Village and Athletes Lodge.
There was an opportunity to share stories with Olympic prospects from a variety of sports, such as sailing, wrestling, judo, diving and gymnastics among others, as well as experience the atmosphere of the Village and watch the GB team compete.
Here are some more photos from their trip:
Approaching the bright lights of Macau
Humid Macau
The ferry from Macau to Hong Kong
A jubilant Tony Jeffries takes time out for his fans
Inside the Worker's Gymnasium
Score!
Simon Clegg, Team GB Chef de Mission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games said: "This programme is unique worldwide and is expected to provide a real competitive edge to the participants. With the BOA's aspirational target to finish fourth in the overall medal table in 2012, and research showing that a significantly high percentage of medallists at any Olympic Games have attended previous Olympic Games, this experience can form a vital part of the athletes preparation for Olympic success."