Today I visited the Olympic Park with the men's and women's British basketball teams. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly our stop-off at the Basketball Arena, which is due to be complete in April next year in time for the Test Event.

With just under two years to go to the Olympic Games, the sights of both teams are now firmly set on London 2012.

In order to qualify for the Games, both teams must prove that they can be competitive in the European qualifiers this year and then at the European Basketball Championships in 2011. And there is definitely an air of confidence.

Forward Julie Page said: 'London 2012 is our main aim now, and we will do everything we can to make sure we're there. We're training around five hours a day at the moment. We also have some great talent in the team and some fantastic coaches.'

Her teammate Jo Leedham, who has just graduated from Franklin Pierce University in the States, where she played college basketball, was clearly inspired by the progress made on the Basketball Arena: 'It's unbelievable – being here makes it all a lot more real.'

For Drew Sullivan, captain of the men's team, London 2012 holds special significance. He comes from Hackney, one of the Host Boroughs, and was surprised at the transformation of the area since he was last there: 'There's been lots of great changes – and ones that will last well into the future, like creating new homes. They've obviously done a lot of work.'

We were also joined on the tour by Lionel Price, the only surviving member of the British basketball team that competed in the London 1948 Games. He had plenty of interesting stories to tell, including how they used Uxbridge RAF base for the Athletes' Village, and how he swapped his Olympic beret with the American 200m silver medallist for a Panama hat!

Lionel said he found it 'marvellous' that the Games will take place in London in 2012, and is right behind the current basketball teams.

Looking ahead, construction workers on the Park have just started installing seating in the temporary Basketball Arena. In October, work will start on the changing rooms and other facilities. There are also plans to add lights to the exterior of the Arena – creating a spectacular venue that we hope will inspire our athletes come 2012!

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