Michaela Breeze had almost given up hope of being selected (Getty)

Ivybridge weightlifter Michaela Breeze has been selected to compete for Great Britain at this summer's Olympics.

Wales's 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist was handed a wildcard entry into next month's Beijing Games.

She had been training at full pace for the past few months without knowing if she would get selected.

"It's awesome, absolutely awesome," she told BBC Sport. "It's the phone call I've waited so long for. I was close to giving up hope."

It is the second Olympic Games for Breeze, the 28-year-old having finished ninth in the 58kg class in Athens four years ago. But it does not lessen the thrill of being selected.

"I had an inkling about a week ago that I might go," she said. "I'm absolutely delighted that all those years of training have paid off."

She will soon head to Macau with the rest of the British Olympic squad for their final preparations before the games.

"In 2004 in Athens Michaela was the first woman to represent Team GB in Weightlifting at the Olympic Games. I am therefore delighted that she will be joining the Team again for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games," Team GB Chef de Mission Simon Clegg said.