Kate French is relishing her first taste of the Olympics in Rio.

The Gravesend-born athlete goes in the modern pentathlon event which starts today (August 18).

And the 24-year-old feels ready for the competition to begin after a “surreal” few weeks in the Athletes' Village.

She said: “I am really excited about competing and I feel ready. It is quite surreal being here, but I can’t wait to start now.

“The whole Olympic experience is amazing, even better than I expected. It is great being part of Team GB and I love being in the Village. You can sit in the dining hall and star spot.

“Training has been going really well. I feel good and ready to go.

“I feel like I am in the best shape I have been in. I am more of an all-rounder than being a stand-out at one specific event, so I will take each event at a time and try to stay consistent.”