Trauma of Olympic star in hit and run

An Olympic rowing star knocked off her bike during training and "left for dead" has vowed to compete in the 2008 Beijing event.

The horrifying hit-and-run crash in London left bronze medal winner Elise Laverick, 29, disfigured just weeks after the 2004 Olympics in Greece.

After plastic surgery to repair a broken jaw, three smashed teeth and severe facial scarring, the rower is determined to carry on with her career. But she was left so traumatised by the incident on 27 October that only now does she feel able to speak about it.

Speaking from her mother's home in Arundel, West Sussex, Laverick said: "It all happened so quickly. I didn't even have time to scream.

"All the driver needed to do was stop and see if I was alive, but the vehicle just sped off. I really don't know how they can sleep at night.

"I feel angry that I have lost two months of my life - the two months that should have been the best of my life.

"I was left on the road with my front teeth knocked out and my lower face split open from nose to top lip. My hands, knees and legs were badly bruised and I also suffered whiplash.

"I couldn't look at myself at first, but when I saw my injuries for the first time I was in shock and couldn't stop crying. There have been a lot of tears over the last two months.

"At one point I wondered whether I would ever compete again, but luckily I tapped into the support of my mum, dad, sister and boyfriend.

"Now I am determined to carry on and to work hard to get back to strength, and I'm determined to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and do the country proud again."