We're in our sixth year as Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme and we're looking ahead to the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympic games. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games take place from 12-28 February in Vancouver and Whistler in Canada. Today, there are 30 days until the Opening Ceremony and the excitement and anticipation builds as a number of TASS 2012 and Core TASS Athletes have been selected to represent TEAM GB in Vancouver.

In November it was announced that Ice dancers Nick Buckland and Penny Coomes both core TASS athletes had gained places

Penny Coomes: "This is the first year that we've steered clear of injury and had the opportunity to do a full season of competition. We always thought that taking part in the Olympic Winter Games was such a long-shot, but of course it was a massive ambition for both of us. We have long-term hopes in the sport, but to have been selected for the Olympic Winter Games at this stage does feel absolutely amazing."

This also included the skating pair David King and Stacey Kemp, current TASS 2012 athletes

David King: "It's hard to express just how much this means. It's the fulfillment of a lifetime's ambition. When I was a little kid, people would watch me compete then say as a joke ‘I'll look out for you at the Olympics'. Well now that's come true! It always seemed like some massive, daunting ambition, so now it really does feel incredible to have achieved it."

Only last week despite the bad weather the Short track Speed Skater's were announced which included four current TASS 2012 athletes Anthony Douglas, Jack Whelbourne, Tom Iverson and Elsie Christie

GB Short Track Speed Skating Performance Director, Stuart Horsepool said:

"The teams have put in a huge amount of effort since Turin 2006 to maintain standards, and to bring forward and improve on the pool of talent we already had. The young skaters have got better and the experienced skaters have pushed themselves harder than ever. We've got a group of athletes who can deliver strong performances, and we're doing everything to ensure they all truly fulfill their potential on the biggest stage of all at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver."

So with eight Talented Athletes already selected we look ahead to January 26^th and 29^th  to see which athletes have qualified  for the places they've trained so hard for , the opportunity to be a part of Team GB at the Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010.

The seven sports on the Olympic programme for 2010 are: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing. The 15 disciplines are: biathlon, bobsleigh, skeleton, curling, ice hockey, luge, figure skating, short track speed skating, speed skating, Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, freestyle skiing, Nordic combined, ski jumping, snowboard.

Image: Jack Whelbourne

For the official Team GB line up and latest Vancouver Winter Olympic Team GB news visit http://www.olympics.org.uk/wintergames.aspx