The Sports Institute Northern Ireland has 45 athletes within its ranks, some already well established at international level, others with the potential to get there.

The 45 are all contenders for ‘major games’ — Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealths.

Boxer Paddy Barnes won a bronze medal in the light flyweight division in Beijing and, after spurning offers to turn professional, has chances of glory at London 2012.

There are three other excellent boxing prospects in the programme — Eamon O'Kane, Ryan Lindberg and Tommy McCarthy.

Athletes Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop made a huge impact at the Beijing Paralympics.

Smyth, who suffers from a sight condition and is currently training with top American sprinter Tyson Gay in Florida, set world records on his way to 100m and 200m gold and could possibly compete in the London 2012 Olympics as well as the Paralympics.

McKillop won the 800m at the Beijing Paralympics in a world record time and will be going for gold again in London.

Middle distance runner Ciara Mageean will be just 20 years old when London 2012 comes around and may not reach her peak until Rio 2016.

In cycling Philip Deignan represented Ireland in Beijing and currently rides for the professional Cervelo team, winning a stage of the Tour of Spain in September, the first Irishman to win a stage on a Grand Tour since Stephen Roche's last-stage success at the Tour de France in 1992.

In squash, Madeline Perry is currently number nine in the world and has climbed as high as sixth. In swimming, Melanie Nocher currently holds four individual Irish records, competed for Ireland in Beijing and could peak at London 2012. In triathlon, Emma Davis is another Beijing competitor who will view London 2012 as the Games where full potential could be realised.

The Commonwealth Games also form an important element in SINI planning.

SINI Athlete Services Manager Peter McCabe explains: “We are working in a cycle taking in Delhi next year, London 2012, Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016.

“We basically work with Northern Ireland-based athletes. There will be Northern Ireland athletes at the 2012 Olympics who are already out of our system — Alan Campbell and Wendy Houvenaghel would be examples.”

SINI also provide support to the Irish Football Association, the GAA, Ulster Rugby and Cricket Ireland, as well as to golfers and motorsport competitors, and has played a pivotal role in many success stories.

An Olympic gold medal by 2016 would be the icing on the cake.