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174 W e were all from Russia and we took the whole podium. It was an amazing feeling. The best thing was that we all knew each other since we started playing tennis. On one side I was bitterly disappointed to lose the final, but on the other hand, I was really proud of our country and what we achieved in Beijing. This was a day when a dream came true. Of course, straight after the match I was disappointed, but afterwards this became less so. We could hear the national anthem and could see the Russian flag. There were tears from the sadness, but there were tears of happiness for being so proud for my country. I think the most difficult thing about competing at the Olympics was the first round because I was so nervous. In general I am always nervous competing in the first round because you want to win, but there I was doubly nervous. The hardest thing about competing for a medal was the semifinal. I did not sleep enough as we finished the doubles really late. Then I played the Chinese girl Li Na and the whole stadium was supporting her. This was the toughest one, but when I won I knew that I already had a medal, whether it be gold or silver. Sometimes it's tough to realise I'm an Olympic medallist. You think you have a medal, but sometimes you forget about this and I have to remind myself. In tennis you have an event every week and every tournament is important. Maybe when you are older you start to think about which trophies and which tournaments are much more important. Of course the silver medal is not something everyone has, so it makes it special. I was lucky to have played in Beijing because it was my first and last Olympics. In London I was injured and could not compete. I then quit tennis. I had one opportunity and I took it 100 percent. I would say to anyone competing that you just need to go out there and do your best. It will not be easy because you have a lot of pressure, but as long as you leave your heart on the court, winning or losing does not matter. You are already there and the whole of your country is supporting you. BEIJING 2008 WOMEN'S SINGLES SILVER I was lucky to have played in Beijing because it was my first and last Olympics. Dinara Safina Dinara Safina