Britain's Taekwondo representative Sarah Stevenson was selected to read the Olympic Oath - the short speech made on behalf of all the competing athletes at every Opening Ceremony since the Antwerp Games of 1920.

In it, Stevenson read: "In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams."

Her pledge was followed by boxing referee Mik Basi reading out the Judges' Oath, which will have also had particular resonance with Stevenson.

Four years ago in Beijing, she was controversially denied victory in her quarter-final match with the Chinese gold medal favourite, only to see the decision reversed after an appeal to the judges.

She went on to win bronze - Britain's first Olympic medal of any colour in the sport. She goes into the London Games having won both the European and World Championships in the previous two years.

Yorkshire-born Sarah studied Sports Science at Doncaster College, before moving on to study at Loughborough College, for whom she is now a sports ambassador.

Today, Chris McGeorge, the College's Elite Sport Education and Welfare Officer, told Podium: "Sarah is an inspirational athlete and lives her life according to the Olympic and Paralympic values.

"We were delighted to see and hear her play such an important role in the Opening Ceremony and everyone at the College is very proud of her."

Rob Jarram, Sports Development Officer at Loughborough College added: "It was amazing to see Sarah reading the Olympic Oath last night. It was such a great choice due to the very unfortunate loss of both of parents last year.

"Sarah remains at the top of her sport and truly demonstrates the values and spirit of the Olympic Games and is a great ambassador for our Flames programme. We are all so proud of her at the College."