The dream became a reality on Sunday for former Windsor Lancers Track and Field star Melissa Bishop.
 
Athletics Canada named Bishop as one of 40 track and field athletes for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games team in London, England.

The Eganville, Ontario native and former University of Windsor Female Athlete of the Year locked up her spot on the Canadian Olympic Team with a second place finish in the Women's 800 metres at the Olympic Trials in Calgary.
 
“This is huge,” said the 23-year-old Bishop, who will compete in her very first Olympic Games in London. “This is the Olympics and it's everyone's dream. I couldn't be more excited.”
 
Bishop had already made the Olympic "A" standard after a spectacular performance at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon earlier in the summer and needed only a top-three finish at the Canadian Olympic Trials.

In a slow and very cautious race, Bishop ran a smart race and secured her Olympic spot with a second-place finish in 2:07.56.
 
“In a race like that, because it's so tactical, you just do what you need to do to get into the top three,” said Bishop, whose personal best time is 1:59.82. “I stayed on the outside and didn't allow myself to get boxed in. Thankfully it all went well."

Bishop, who is coached by legendary Lancer Head Coach Dennis Fairall, will depart for London, England along with her Canadian teammates later this summer.
 
“It was a huge relief, for one, and it was very emotional. I had all my family there. It's been a really fun year with a lot of personal bests. I can't wait for London and the chance to represent my country."
 
With information from The Windsor Star