Mark Littlejohn wants to launch his own Olympic campaign after master-minding the gold medal success of Shirley Robertson .

Littlejohn, from Lancing, coached Robertson to victory in the European class in Sydney.

Now the 37-year-old Lancing Club member said: "I want to compete myself in the Olympics.

"Part of my arrangement with Shirley was that she allowed me time off to do my own sailing and in a short time I managed to get decent results in a Tornado in Europe.

"It is a big money issue to begin an Olympic campaign, about £30,000 to start with. I don't think that is going to come from the National Lottery, but I want to give it a go.

"The inspiration to do it comes from my success with Shirley, but the motivation to compete at an Olympics is something that has been inside of me since birth."

Difference Littlejohn revealed just how crucial his role was in Robertson winning gold.

He said: "I believe I made a difference when a big lead she had was whittled down. She became dejected.

"I told her 'very well done' after a disappointing race and she wondered what I meant. I told her 'you've just won a medal, now you've got an opportunity to win a gold medal, so go out and prove it'. My role was to help her mentally and technically.

"When she knew she'd got the gold she burst into tears, gave me a big hug and said 'thanks.' She had changed from 'Oh my God, they're catching me up' to fighting for the big one."

Littlejohn, who has been a training partner to another British gold medallist, Ben Ainslie, also helped Team GB's Tornado boat in Sydney.

Britain won three golds and two silver medals and Littlejohn said: "It was an experience I will never forget, a dream beyond a dream and I feel tremendously privileged to have played a part in it. It was worth every ounce of effort."

Littlejohn offered advice to the likes of future Olympic hopes Paul and Mark Campbell-James from Seaford.

He said: "They've got to get into the top five in the world over four years and it is a long haul.

"If anyone wants to win gold, they have to be passionate and utterly ruthless on the water besides having talent. The killer instinct is vital."

Littlejohn is considering offers from abroad and taking a well earned rest.

When he returned from Sydney this week he went to the Reps Gymnasium in Worthing to sort out a stiff back caused by the long flight before going out for the evening with his wife Jennifer.

He was given an affectionate 'welcome home Daddy' by sons Samuel, 13, and Jeremy, 10. Samuel, who has already won a national junior competition, had followed Dad and the rest of the British team in Sydney on television.

Littlejohn said: "He has really been fired up by it."