BBC Sportolympics

With Jessica Ennis injured, Sotherton is Britain's only hope in the heptathlon, which combines 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m.

However, despite the absence of defending champion Carolina Kl�ft of Sweden, Sotherton can only be considered an outside bet for gold after an injury-hit season.

Sotherton has spent the winter focusing on the javelin, which has traditionally been her weakest event.

The women's heptathlon gets under way with the 100m hurdles at 0200 BST on 15 August and concludes with the 800m the following day at 1445.