Tough being a hot shot

The pool is some distance from the rifle range on Sydney's Olympic map, but that is where you'll find shooter Annemarie Forder should she win a medal in September.

A chance discussion with champion swimmer Susie O'Neill has given the 22-year-old the inspiration to shoot for Olympic gold.

"We were both running in the torch relay and she passed the flame on to me," Forder said.

"We had a quick chat and she's an awesome person."

"I can't think of any other athlete who could have motivated me more and, instead of just wanting to compete, I'm now aiming to win a medal."

Forder is one of Australia's top pistol shooters and despite two gold medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, her life is light on when it comes to lasting sporting fame - or fortune.

Other than the Queensland Academy of Sport shirt she wears, there's not much more in terms of sponsorship dollars for the Olympic contender.

In fact, she still lives in a caravan on-site at the Gold Coast Pistol Club, an arrangement hatched to help fund her way to her first Olympics in Atlanta four years ago.

Forder will contest the Australia Cup final in Sydney this month, meaning another 12-hour drive to try to make the squad of eight.

"Shooting is unlike any other Olympic sport. Because it's such a mental sport, anyone in the field can win - it comes down to who has better mental toughness on the day and, hopefully, that will be me."