Like the athletes she is supporting Cardiff's Sian Vaughan-Evans has made a number of sacrifices to be part of the 2012 Olympic Games.

The physiotherapist is one of a number of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board staff who volunteered to play a role supporting the games.

Not only has she given up huge amounts of time over the last two years and spent more than £1,000 on travelling whilst preparing for the games but she has also had to postpone her honeymoon after marrying husband Gavin in April.

Sian, who hails from New Hedges, said: "My husband is very supportive! We got married in April and are putting our honeymoon on hold as I have had to use all of my leave to volunteer for the games."

The former St. Teilo's RC School and Greenhill School, Tenby, pupil will be working as a physiotherapist with football teams playing in Cardiff and providing pitchside support at matches at the Millennium Stadium.

The 31-year-old, who will also volunteer at the Paralympic Games in London, said she jumped at the chance to be involved.

She said: "As soon as we won the Olympic bid my aim was to be part of the Games. There was an evening talk held in Cardiff for physiotherapists explaining how to get involved and what it would take to become a Gamesmaker. I completed the relevant course requirements and thankfully I was successful in my application."

Olympic organisers set the bar high for volunteers and Sian, who has worked with the UHB for four years, had to show she had worked with elite sports before and have separate qualifications in taping, massage and trauma management.

She has also had to take part in various training and briefing events in the run up to the Games.

Sian said: "It has taken two years of hard work and dedication to get to this point andnow it is here I am very excited to be part of this great sporting event. It feels an honour to have been selected and I am looking forward to the whole experience.

"I am looking forward to working alongside other medical practitioners in this elite setting, meeting athletes from around the world and sharing their Olympic experience, both highs and lows, and doing what I can to aid recovery, prevent and treat injuries and hopefully play my part in enhancing the athlete's Olympic dream."

As well as having a supportive husband Sian said her family and colleagues have helped her on her journey to the Olympics.

She said: "My family are very proud of what I have achieved in making the selection. They are very supportive and know the sacrifices I have made in order to take part in this potential once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Everyone in work is looking forward to hearing about it and been a huge benefit boost enthusiasm. Our colleagues hope we enjoy it and gain the experience we hope for and will return to the department with new ideas and enhanced skills. We will feedback our experience to the department so all can learn from the event."