GB fencer hopes to make late father proud

Laurence Halsted is the British number two foil fencer

Ex-Olympic fencer Clare Halsted says it would be "wonderful" for her son Laurence to emulate his late father by competing at London 2012.

Nick Halsted fenced for Great Britain in the 1968 Olympics but died in 2007.

Laurence Halsted, 27, is in the men's foil squad which is considered as Britain's best Olympic medal hope.

"Laurence said to him he was going to do his best to get to the Olympics, so yes, for his memory it would be wonderful," she told BBC London 94.9.

"I think it is on Laurence's mind. His dad was his other great supporter of course and they were very close," she said.

Halsted Jr starting fencing when he was nine years old at Finchley Foil in North London, a club his mother now helps to run.

After competing in the women's foil at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, she knows as well what it takes to perform at the highest level.

As the mother of an Olympic hopeful, she is also aware of the sacrifices both families and athletes make along the way.

"I'm very proud of Laurence because he has worked hard in a very dedicated way at his training," she said.

"We gave up quite a lot of time when he was younger to take him to fencing, encourage him, take him off to competitions when he wanted to go.

"It's wonderful to see him enjoying the sport that I have also had a great time doing for most of my life."

Fencing still plays a large role in Clare Halsted's life. She recently returned from the World Veterans Fencing Championships with a silver medal in the foil and a bronze in the sabre.

But despite her love for fencing and the pride for her son, she admits she struggles to watch her son competing.

"I always find it completely nerve wracking watching," she said.

"In fact I don't ever watch him or I try not to watch him. I can hardly bare to watch the video replays even when I know the result."

British number two Halsted is in the GB men's foil team which will be competing in the World Fencing championships in Catania in Italy from 8-16 October.

Last year they finished eighth at the World Championships, while they came a disappointing fifth at the 2011 European Championships in Sheffield.

Whether Laurence can go on to become the first Halsted to win an Olympic medal remains to be seen.

But Britain have not won a fencing medal since 1964 and his mother knows how important getting on the podium at 2012 would be for the sport.

"It wouldn't just be for the person winning the medal. It's the whole sport isn't it?" she said.

"Every single fencer and everybody else. All of the family and friends, it would be fantastic for everybody.".

Clare Halsted will feature on BBC London's Olympic show "Towards 2012" 1700-1800 BST on 9 October on BBC London 94.9FM.