Team GB's London 2012 participants' preparation comes to a close, as the real games - the Olympic Games - begin even before the opening ceremony on Friday.

Eight females won gold for Britain at the 2008 Beijing Games, with the pressure intensified four years on as they compete on home soil.

pendleton

Victoria Pendleton enjoys some modelling

Victoria Pendleton, winner in the cycling sprint four years ago, has hinted she may be set to retire from the sport after the 2012 Games.

jenna randall

Jenna Randall is the current face and body of Braun

Jenna Randall, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist in synchrnoized swimming, has been sunning it up in Malta recently with team-mates ahead of competing in London.

randall

Jenna with teammate Katie Skelton during training in Malta

Here are some other ladies taking part in the Summer Olympics...

cassar

Georgina Cassar strikes the pose

tonia couch

Tonia Couch glamming up

volleyball

Denise Johns, Lucy Bolton, Shauna Mullin and Zara Dempney outside Westminster