Kelly Sotherton has set her sights on a glorious farewell at the 2012 London Olympics - even though she will be 35 by then, writes MICHAEL JARVIS.

Sotherton, heptathlon champion at last month's Commonwealth Games, is banking on the fact that she was a late starter to prolong her career through to the London Games.

"I don't know how hard that will be but as long as I am fit and healthy and I am looked after and get everything I need up to that date, I am sure I will be fine,' said the Isle of Wight-born star.

"I believe every athlete has their good 10 years and I am in my fourth year so hopefully I will be there, but not necessarily in the heptathlon," said Sotherton, 29, who could switch to one of her seven individual events.

"It could be long jump, one of the others or maybe as part of a relay, you never know, but as long as I get there and it's my swansong Olympics in London that would be great.

"I will still be motivated because I started late. I started at 26 and did not do my first global championships until 2004. I am still new in this game really."

Sotherton, below, admitted to being "envious" of the current crop of young athletes who will benefit from Norwich Union's £50million sponsorship, announced earlier this week, which will help fund British athletics through to 2012.

"I did start early, I just didn't have what these guys have now. I didn't have the indoor facilities, the medical back-up, the coaching expertise. I had to struggle on my own and chugged along."

The Norwich Union funding will also help produce athletes from schools and grassroots level as well as supporting their development up to international level.

"Definitely it will be easier for them, they will have so many more advantages than I had. I am envious. I wish I was 10 years younger, having all this at my feet," added Sotherton.

Dave Collins, the UK Athletics performance director, insisted: "It wasn't like this in the old days but things have moved on.

"If we don't give these guys this backing they will go into international competition with a lead ball tied around their leg."