Veteran O'Sullivan keen on 2012

Sonia O'Sullivan believes she could compete in London 2012

Irish athlete Sonia O'Sullivan has revealed that she would like to compete at the London Olympics in 2012, even though she will be 43 years old.

O'Sullivan, who is based in Sydney but trains in London during summer months, said the 2012 games would suit her better than Beijing in 2008.

"Beijing is two years away but it does not grab my attention," she said.

"My vision for the future is that it would not be impossible for me to run in the Olympics in London."

O'Sullivan said she really felt she could carry on for another six years, with the marathon her most likely target.

Comparing herself to tennis great Martina Navratilovawho has competed in this year's Wimbledon at 49 years old, O'Sullivan said she was enjoying training more than ever.

"Navratilova felt that she was forced into retirement and forced to stop doing what she loved the most.

"I am in the same position, I love doing what I do. I love training. Young athletes make you feel young when you train with them."

One of the leading middle-distance runners for most of the 1990s, O'Sullivan won a gold medal at the 1995 World Athletics Championships.

She took a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics as well as three European Championship golds and two World Cross-Country Championship titles.