REPs' member Katie De-Mouilpied has shared her Olympic experience after being chosen from thousands of applicants to visit the Olympic Games as part of Technogym's team.

The freelance personal trainer from Manchester was one of an international team of 60 trainers at the giant Olympic gym used by competitors. Most of the trainers work for the Italian equipment manufacturer but Katie was one of just three outside trainers taken along.

She was persuaded to enter the search for the trainers by her mum Ann and after a series of gruelling exams and interviews was thrilled to be told she'd won a place.

Katie, 33, said: "I had an awesome time in Beijing, it was absolutely amazing. To work so closely with the athletes and meet them was so nerve-wracking. But they were all really nice and there was a great atmosphere.

"I didn't see many of the athletes before their performances, but of course afterwards they were all in the gym training, so I was in a great position to be able to just go up and talk to them.

"The atmosphere was electric the whole time I was there."

Although Technogym has supplied fitness equipment and its own trainers for previous Olympics this was the first time they had invited along outside fitness instructors.

The entire team worked at various gyms throughout the Beijing including a massive 2,000 metre complex inside the Olympic village which was open from 6am to 10pm.

Katie has a life-long love of sport and has represented the UK in track and filed athletics as a junior. She also played for Manchester City Ladies before being injured five years ago.

She now has her own personal training and sports therapy company called Re-activ8.

REPs systems manager Robbie McGregor said: "We were really excited when Technogym came to us to help find a qualified personal trainer to take to the Olympics and were thrilled that Katie was chosen from the hundreds who responded.

"We often say that with increasing international reciprocal agreements being a member of REPs is a passport to working the worl,d but we never expected one of our members to take it quite so far!

"We're all thrilled that Katie had a great time in Beijing albeit very jealous that she got to enjoy such an incredible experience while we were stuck in Croydon in the rain and watching the Games on television."