Today started in the ordinary way with tough water work before becoming quite extraordinary! We each got handed a brand new Stella Macartney tracksuit and headed for Windsor Castle for the Olympic rowing team announcement. It seemed like a very apt location after a weekend of Great British jubilee celebrations.

For me selection is a massive milestone on the way to the Olympics but it is still not enough! On the day Jacques Rogge announced 'London' as the host city for 2012, I think the first seeds of my comeback were sown. I was running a workshop for Honda with Lane4. We had a group discussion about 2012 and one of the Dealership Principals asked me what I visualised myself doing at the Games. I said my dream was to be an athlete and that anything else would seem second best to me. Now it's confirmed I will compete, barring injury, but I still want more! I am proud to say that I have retained a seat in the eight, the boat I have competed in since my return in 2010. Having won two silvers in the World Championships I am hungry to make it gold in London.

Back in January, Jurgen Grobler told me that, as long as I maintained my level of performance within the team, that I'd done enough to claim my seat. It was a very emotional moment for me, particularly as I was having a bit of trouble with my back at the time, so his faith in me meant a lot. I actually welled up when he shook my hand as I'm not sure up until then if even I had realised how much this meant to me.

So far this season has been a bit frustrating as we have had to race both World Cup regattas with substitutes. Despite doing well to come away with silver twice, we still do not know how fast we can go with our full crew. Today we only announced seven names plus the cox for the eight. All being well our injured man will recover in time for the Olympics. Watch this space to see who claims that final seat in the end...

We learnt a huge amount during our races in Belgrade and Lucern. As we expected, the Germans are still very strong, but we have also now had a chance to race Canada, the reigning Olympic Champions, and Australia, plus the Americans are yet to join the field. We compete in the final World Cup regatta in Munich next weekend, which is our last chance to test out race plans before we head off for our final training camps and then the final showdown at Dorney!!

I am looking forward to collecting my full Olympic kit on the day after Munich before we fly to Austria for altitude training then Portugal for final honing and tapering. I feel slightly sad that we will be out of the country for the build-up to the Games as I think there will be a real sense of anticipation and excitment as the torch continues to head to its final destination in the stadium. We have also decided not to march in the opening ceremony as we race the next morning so, unless they ask me to light the flame and offer a helicopter back to our hotel, I will be watching it from the comfort of my bed!

Just to remind you, if you want to follow my races then the World Cup will be live on BBC2 on Sunday, June 17. My Olympic races are Saturday, July 28 for the heats, then Monday July 30 if we have to go through the repechage (we are aiming to avoid this by winning our heat!) and the finals are Wednesday, August 1st. That date has been imprinted on my brain since the schedule was announced and now I can't wait to get there!!!

Thanks again for all your support. You have helped my journey from the very start and I know you are with me all the way.

Greg

PS: The only blot on my day was that I pulled Germany out for our Euro 2012 sweepstake, whilst they are the second favourites I don't want to get used to hearing their National Anthem!