By Chris Hammer

Lee McConnell is striving to make it third time lucky at London 2012 after admitting her last two Olympics were disappointing.

The experienced 400-metre runner has represented Great Britain or Scotland at every major outdoor championships since 2001, but is yet to collect an individual or relay medal on the biggest stage of all.

McConnell is still waiting along with the rest of the 4x400m quartet from the 2004 Athens Games - Donna Fraser, Catherine Murphy and Christine Ohuruogu - on a potential bronze medal following the disqualification of the USA six years later due to Crystal Cox being found guilty of drug use.

That saga aside, the 33-year-old has amassed nine in total at world, European and Commonwealth level, including three indoors, but would dearly love to complete the set on home soil this summer.

McConnell's best chance of a podium spot will come with the relay squad, who will be desperate to go one better than last year's fourth place at the World Championships in Daegu.

McConnell, who has made the semi-finals over 400m at both of her previous Olympics in Athens and Beijing, said: "My memories of past Olympics haven't been great so I'm hoping this time around they will be much better!

"For me it's about performing well. At major championships I always want to perform well and although the atmosphere is great to be a part of, it all comes down to how well I do. That's what is most important to me.

"The relay team have medalled at major championships in the past and I think the only one that we've missed out in recent years is the Olympics.

"We finished fourth at last year's world championships so we'll definitely be in there with a chance of getting a medal.

"The crowd support will be huge for us. Running on home soil on this scale is something many of us won't get to do again - so to be doing it at an Olympic Games makes it even more special. I do feel the crowd getting behind us will boost our performance on the day."

McConnell accepts it's going to be tough to earn selection in the individual and relay events given the strong domestic competition including Christine Ohuruogu, Shana Cox and Nicola Sanders but believes her experience will be key.

The Scot, who finished 2011 second in the British rankings over 400m, said: "I'd be devastated if I didn't make it into the British team as my ambition is to be part of the Olympics so the plan is to start the season well and perform well enough at the trials to secure a spot at the Games.

"The 400m is one of our strongest events. We've got quite a lot of strength and depth and there's more coming through now than in previous years. For any of the girls to get into the team is going to be tough, and it's a great situation for UK Athletics to have a lot of people to select from and put together a great team.

"I do have a lot of experience of previous Olympics and major championships and I'm hoping I can use that to help me perform well this season.

"To compete at an Olympics on home soil is something very special so I'm really excited about London and I have been since it was announced. It's funny how fast it's come around and it's such an exciting time to be a British athlete.

"I've never lacked motivation to train hard and try to perform well but this year over the winter months the prospect of competing in London has definitely helped and it's been easier than normal to get out there and train."

When the Olympics ends, McConnell has the prospect of competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to look forward to and feels the event will be a boost for Scottish sport.

She said: "My focus is all on the Olympics at the moment but as soon as London has finished my attention will certainly shift to 2014.

"It's such an exciting time to be a British athlete. The Olympics this summer followed by Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth games two years later - it's a fantastic opportunity for us all and both events will be special.

"I think it's great for Scotland to host the Games. It will help motivate the Scottish athletes to train hard and produce some great performances, and this will hopefully inspire the youngsters coming through the ranks.

"Hopefully the younger ones will also get the opportunity to compete and give them a taste for the biggest events in future years rather than thinking of other things.

"It is difficult to keep kids in sport so to have the Olympics and Commonwealth Games in Britain will help inspire and push the next generation of medal winners."

Olympic British athlete Lee McConnell stars in the latest track for Cadbury Dairy Milk's Keep Singing Keep Team GB Pumped campaign, as part of its London 2012 Olympic Games sponsorship, which aims to get the nation singing along to show their support for Team GB. For more information visit .