TEESSIDE'S London 2012 gold medallist Kat Copeland has confirmed she is ready for the next Olympic cycle having returned to training following an extended break.

Copeland memorably won gold with Sophie Hosking at Eton Dorney last summer, only to cast doubts over her immediate future by stating her intention to return to education having previously started studying a degree in biology at Durham University.

But having spent the first three months of the year on a break in Australia, the 22-year-old revealed she has returned to training and is already looking forward to next year's World Championships.

Hosking and Copeland won gold in the lightweight women's double scull event at their home Games, finishing more than two seconds clear of silver medallists China.

But while Hosking admits she is erring on the side of retirement, Copeland is back in training as the Rio 2016 cycle takes hold.

"I am just getting fit because I went away and had a really long holiday," she revealed. "I just needed a bit of a break but it just made me really excited to get back training, and even though I'm unfit I'm really enjoying it.

"Even when I say I am thinking about what I'm going to do, deep down I know I am always going to keep rowing - I just love it and I am really lucky I can do it as my job.

"I think having some time away at the beginning of this year, and then coming back, I realised I have it good and I have a pretty good life with training.

"I'm just getting fit for the first set of trials in November for the 2013/14 season. I will do a couple of domestic races this summer to get fit again and then it is on to the World Championships next year."

Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, has supported 1,000 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes. As part of Lloyds TSB’s commitment to helping future sports stars prosper, the programme will continue in 2013. Follow future stars at facebook.com/lloydstsblocalheroes