The mother of Oxford triple jumper Nathan Douglas said she expected to be a bag of nerves as she watched her son compete in the Olympic Games qualifying heats in Athens tomorrow (August 20).

Mother Angela Whelan, front, with Nathan's sisters Kayley, left, Lauren, right, and his aunt Sarah Douglas

Angela Whelan, of Hornbeam Drive, Greater Leys, who flew out to Greece today, along with Nathan's sisters, Kayley and Lauren Whelan, and aunt Sarah Douglas, admitted: "Being his mum, I know as always I'm going to be nervous.

"But especially so for this. It wasn't until I watched the opening ceremony on television that I realised just what a truly massive event it is.

"I'm getting excited. Once we're there in Athens, it will seem more real."

The 21-year-old athlete from Hinksey will represent Great Britain in the men's triple jump, together with Phillips Idowu of Belgrave Harriers.

Both are hoping to follow in the spike marks of Britain's former Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards, who won gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

But it would be a major achievement if Nathan, who set a personal best when he achieved the Olympic qualifying mark of 16.95m at the Norwich Union AAA Championships in Manchester last month, made it through to Monday's final.

Nathan, a Loughborough University sports science graduate, is the first athlete from the Oxford City athletics club to qualify for the Olympics since Maureen Gardner won silver in the 80m hurdles at the 1948 London Games.

Kayley, 15, said: "I'm really proud of Nathan and I am excited about going to Athens. It was a shock to see him on TV."

Lauren, 14, said: "I'm very excited. It just doesn't seem real."

Sarah, 29, of Elton Road, Wheatley, said: "I have completely mixed emotions. There's lots of nervous tension -- I'm really feeling for Nathan.

"He has worked really hard for this. His focus and drive all his life has been to get to the Olympics.

"We will be proud of him whatever happens, and so will the whole of Oxford.

"This has been Nathan's year. He has graduated from Loughborough and made it to the Olympics. He is 21 and has realised his dream."

Nathan first became interested in athletics at the age of seven, although his first time on the track was not a success.

He said: "I remember after about 15 minutes of my first training session, I just wanted to go home. For some reason though, I kept going back for more."

Mrs Whelan said: "We're staying out in Athens, whether Nathan makes it through to the final or not.

"I spoke to Nathan a couple of days ago and he was excited.

"He has enjoyed being part of the competition and done his two weeks' training. Now he just wants to jump.

"When I'm there I'm sure it will hit me that this is the Olympic Games and not something like the English Schools Championships."