IMOGEN Cairns might be the comeback queen of British gymnastics, but the Winterbourne ace admits her mission will only be complete once she vaults into London 2012, writes Ben Baker.

The 22-year-old returned from almost two years out with ankle surgeries last October in spectacular style, retaining her Commonwealth Games vault title and collecting individual floor gold.

Retirement plans have never been far away from Cairns’ mind, but they were shelved after the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then again after Delhi last year following her success.

And with London 2012 just over a year away, Cairns admits her hunger and desire is higher than ever.

“I have never been far away with injuries my whole career, from the age of about 14, and the older I get and the more I work through them and the more I want to achieve,” the former Fromeside Gymnastics club member said.

“Every injury has made me stronger and I was determined to make it to the Commonwealth Games last year and to do it and win two golds was great.

“There were times when I wanted to retire as my feet were so bad and I couldn’t do anything, barely even walk, but I just kept believing and didn’t give up.

“And now the next thing is to make it all the way to London 2012 which will be an amazing experience and the real pinnacle after what I have been through.

“The crowd always spurs me on and to be in front of a home crowd will be amazing and I will be doing all I can do make sure I don’t miss out like I did when the Worlds came here.”

Cairns was still on the sidelines when the World Championships came to London in 2009, a dry run ahead of next year’s Olympics.

And if she has any hopes of running out in front of a home crowd at the North Greenwich Arena next July, then Cairns knows how important a stepping stone 2011 and the World Championships will be.

“Although 2012 is a major influence I know that there are steps I need to take before I can get too carried away,” she added.

“We have both the European Championships and the World Championships this year and it is the Worlds in Tokyo this October.

“That is my main target and I want to make it to Japan and really lay down a marker and show everyone that I mean business for 2012.”

l Join fellow Europeans at the London 2012 ‘one year to go’ celebrations at St Pancras International courtesy of Eurostar. View competition details at www.eurostar.com/london2012. Eurostar is the Official International Rail Services Provider to the Games, and also the British, French and Belgian Olympic teams.