Jo Goode believes she can create history at the Sydney Olympics.

The 27-year-old from Bognor and her mixed doubles partner, Worcestershire's Simon Archer, are rated the best hopes to secure Britain's first ever Olympic badminton medal. And many believe its colour will be gold.

More importantly, Jo herself believes she can live up to the hype as the former Felpham Community College pupil and Archer bid to go one better than they did in last year's World Championships in Copenhagen.

"A gold medal would be my crowning glory, particularly as no one from Britain has even won a medal before. I feel I have a great chance of getting one," she declared without a trace of arrogance as she prepares for the mixed and ladies' doubles.

"The pressure is on Simon and I. But we could do it even though we're only ranked five to eight. We've beaten rivals above and below us.

"Also, we're so experienced together. We instinctively know where the other is and what roles to play. I go to the front of the court while Simon's at the back. It's been working well lately."

They lifted the Indonesian Open title and reached the final of the Thailand Open, defeating most of the top five in the world, earlier this summer.

"It's been a tiring few months, but both tours and the training have gone well and we're in form at the right time and hopefully I will get a buzz from it for the Olympics."

Three gold medals (mixed doubles, ladies' doubles and team) secured at the Commonwealth Games two years ago gives Goode a few reasons to feel upbeat, although she maintains a sense of perspective.

"It was great to win the golds but it was relatively easy. It's nowhere near as hard as the Olympics. But Simon and I are progressing all the time. We showed that by winning world silver and doing okay in Asia."

She even holds out hopes for success in the ladies' doubles with Donna Kellogg.

"If we get a good draw we've got an outside chance. Although we're seed three to four, we've not beaten any of the pairs above or below us."

Jo reached the last 16 of the mixed (with Nick Ponting) and the ladies (with Julie Bradbury) in Atlanta four years ago.

"The experience of having been in similar situations before will help. I've learned you need to get plenty of hitting down in the actual arena. You have to get used to it."

The Littlehampton club member feels she has matured on court.

"I don't lose my temper as much as I used to. That will help, particularly with Donna because she's younger and will need a calming influence."

She may have a happy, contented home life with husband Andy and three-year-old son Jack, who with mum and dad Chris and Jenny will be in Sydney, but still has the fire in her belly to compete.

"I'm still very motivated I love winning and hate losing, it's that easy."