(heptathlon)

The face of Denise Lewis has become synonymous with British athletics.

The bubbly 28-year-old goes to Edmonton aiming to complete the full set of major championship golds, something only one female British athlete has previously done – Sally Gunnell.

At both the 1997 and 1999 World Championships, Lewis stood on the silver medal rostrum. In between, the 1998 season had brought her double gold at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

But it was not until the Sydney Olympics that Lewis rose to the peak of her event when she thrilled a nation by defying an Achilles injury to win gold in Stadium Australia.

Lewis, who runs for the Birchfield Harriers club, specialises in the long jump and has won two AAAs titles in an event she also competed in at the European Cup.

Over the past four years, Lewis has become probably the best-known sportswoman in the country.

She famously appeared on the cover of a magazine wearing nothing but body paint and her looks have undoubtedly helped her become a darling of the media.

Got some much-needed competition in the recent World Championship trials in Birmingham after another period out with injury.