A record breaking double Olympic medallist will miss out on competing in front of a home crowd at London 2012 because her event has been dropped since she took Olympic gold in 2008.

Rebecca Romero, MBE, became only the second woman in history to win an Olympic medal in two different sports when she cycled to victory in the 3km Individual Pursuit at Beijing four years ago.

Romero, 32, took World gold in the same event that year, as well as in the Women's Team Pursuit, and all after winning Olympic silver in Rowing just four years earlier.

For her Olympic swansong, and in front of a screaming home crowd, Romero targeted double Olympic gold in London.

But following huge changes in the Olympic Programme by the International Cycling Federation, Carshalton's Olympic wonderwoman has seen her world fall apart around her.

She said: "It's been a horrible few years since Beijing really."

After taking some time out to reflect on becoming the only British athlete ever to win two Olympic medals in different sports, Romero decided to return to cycling and had high hopes for London.

"I thought I would have two medal attempts at London, but then the UCI, the Union Cycliste International, who effectively run cycling on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, cut the Individual Pursuit and after that the Points Race was cut."

Romero's hopes of fulfilling her dream of competing in a third Olympic Games were shattered when the criteria changed for the Road Time Trial event meaning that she was ineligible for the team.

"I just wish I would have more time to adjust, in order to train for a new event," she added.

"But the decision was made in the second year of the Olympiad (second year of four year cycle between Olympics).

"I tried to return to the track but I had lost form and there was new talent coming through."

Aged only 30, Romero found herself asking some very tough questions.

"I had sacrificed everything to compete in the Olympics, I just thought what do I do with my life now?"

And just like the rest of us, and despite her glittering career, even she can't get an Olympic ticket.

But things are looking up. As well as currently studying for an MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science, this incredible athlete is about to take on an Ironman.

For those who are not familiar with the Ironman, it is race which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle, followed by a 26.2 mile run to the finish line.

The race, in Bolton on July 22nd will see Romero tested to her absolute limit of endurance.

"I needed a challenge. I needed to have a new project and I'm in a really good place now and I'm focussed."

In between studying and Ironman training, Romero is launching her own sports consultancy service.

She said: "I've been very lucky but I have worked very hard. I want to help other people now. I love to help out and encourage ordinary people, there is no reason why someone cannot archive what they want to achieve."

"I'm pretty ordinary myself."

Ordinary? Rebecca Romero is far from it.