People Features

Wendy Houvenaghel began cycling to keep her husband company during his cycle rides. That was back in 2002 when Wendy was 27-years-old.

Just a few years later and she's back at her home in Bodmin with a silver medal from the Beijing Olympics.

Wendy was a guest on David White's Show on Friday 29 August 2008. If you missed the interview, hear it all again on the links below:

Wendy Houvenaghel gained an Olympic silver medal after losing to Rebecca Romero in the 3000m individual pursuit final.

She was guaranteed at least a silver after qualifying for the final.

Her Great Britain team-mate Romero proved too strong and led all the way to claim a convincing victory.

Wendy with her medal - Getty Images

Romero becomes the first British woman to win two medals in two summer Olympic sports, having won a silver in rowing in Athens four years ago.

"I started out about two years ago with this final in mind so it has worked out perfectly from that perspective," said 34-year-old Houvenaghel.

"We had the top two medals to gain and it was just a matter of who was better on the day and Rebecca managed to get the gold and that is great.

"I have come away with the silver and I am really proud of myself for getting that medal."

Cornwall-based Houvenaghel, who quit working as a dentist two years ago when she became a full-time cyclist, only made her first international appearance at the age of 31 and is now planning to take a well-earned rest before setting her sights on the next Olympics.

"I will probably have a few weeks off and go from there, put a plan together for perhaps the next four years towards the London Olympics," she said.