By Elise Hamersley

Team GB hockey star Giselle Ansley is relishing her leadership role as part of her third Olympics at Paris 2024.

The 32-year-old from Knightsbridge was part of the women's hockey squad that won gold for Team GB at Rio 2016 before adding a bronze five years later in Tokyo, with a dramatic 4-3 win over India.

One of four returning players that were also on the team eight years ago in Rio, Ansley revealled that she's enjoyed adopting a new role as mentor to the six Olympic debutants taking to the stage for the first time in Paris, whilst also learning from their fresh perspective.

She said: "It’s funny when you’re mates with people and then you realise I’ve done two Olympics already and this is their first one or I’m six, seven, eight years older than some of them.

"This is my opportunity to help them. I love it when people ask my questions or for advice I feel flattered by it but I also really want to help them. You’re trusting me to ask for my advice and I want to give you my very best.

"To be a mentor, or a sounding board, for those youngsters coming through, it’s really important, it’s really part of my role.

"The youngsters are willing to be bold and ask why do we have to do it this way.

"And that’s a really good place to be when you have a team where everyone can learn from everyone.

"Seeing things through fresh eyes too – that’s what’s amazing about the mix of this team."

Ansley will have her own support system close to hand at Paris 2024, with her boyfriend David Ames also selected for this third Olympics as part of the men's squad.

The Surbiton Hockey Club defender also revealed that he has been a secret inspiration to her ahead of Paris.

"It's an amazing support that we both do the same sport and job," she said.

"To be honest I find him pretty inspiring – he’ll hate me for saying that!

"The injuries and the things he’s been through now to get here and captain the men’s team is pretty incredible.

"We both absolutely love hockey obviously and both get called real badgers of the game but it’s not all hockey chat at home. It’s a great support and I love it."

Team GB women play their first pool game against Spain on Sunday 28th August before tackling Australia, Argentina, United States and South Africa.

It is a tough group stage, but Ansley has confidence that Team GB have it within them to reach the podium at a fourth successive Games.

"The goal is that we want to win a medal," she said.

"We’d love to win the Olympics – that’s why we’re here. We’re not here to take part. We need to be on our game, any team can beat any team in world hockey at the moment.

"On any given day, as we showed in that Rio team, you just never know what might happen.

"We’re going to take it one game at the time and take it from there."

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