If rising boxer James DeGale's inspiring motto rings true then winning an Olympic medal in Beijing is a dead cert.

The 22-year-old flew out with the eight strong Team GB boxing squad on Monday determined to build on the platform laid by Amir Khan, Britain's sole boxing representative at the 2004 Games in Athens.

And while DeGale would happily bring home silver just as Khan did it is the glittering prize he and his talented party of disciplined bruisers have fixed their gaze upon.

The Harlesden middleweight has spilt blood, sweat and tears during months of intensive training and now cannot wait to pull on the gloves in the Far East. The ebullient youngster is supremely confident as emphasised in his message of hope.

On his official website DeGale states: "Find out what your passion is and what you are good at and stick to it. Life had a good way of rewarding you."

He is not going to the Olympics for nothing and his hard work could finally be about to pay off on his biggest stage to date.

"After all the hype and build up I can't wait to get out there and start the competition," DeGale told the Observer before jetting out.

"I'm first up on August 9 where I'll aim to get the team off to a good start.

"I've done the hard work. I've had to qualify from the hardest continent in Europe and here I am.

"The training, both physically and mentally, has been spot on.

"I want to win a medal as that would be a dream. This is all good preparation for the 2012 Games in London and my aim to be world champion one day."

DeGale secured his seat on the plane to Beijing after beating several opponents at the qualifying event in Pescara, Italy, including Hungarian Istvan Szili 17-9.

And despite his tender years the Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club member could almost be described as an evergreen having taken up boxing aged just 10.

He is no stranger to success either having won several golds at other

events, the last one coming against reigning Olympic welterweight cham-pion, Kazakhstan's Bakhtiyar Artayev, after beating him 19-16 in the 75kg final of a Multi-Nations competition in Sheffield.

Now the twice National ABA champion is ready to put himself in the shop window and sow the seeds for a pro career.

"Obviously Amir Khan was the only British boxer at the last Olympics but this is not a one man band - this is a very talented group of boxers," added DeGale, who is trained by Steve Newland.

"Five or 10 years ago Britain was seen as an easy touch in the (Olympic) draw but we've come on in leaps and bounds since then. We're now one of the top nations for boxing and we aim to carry that on."

The youngest of four siblings, DeGale has an impressive list of influences - Mayweather, Calzaghe, Haggler, Leonard and Ali.

And while it may be some time before he surname joins that illustrious cast DeGale is just happy to be doing what he knows and loves best.

"Whatever happens I am an Olympian - nobody can take that away from me," he said. "If I do win a medal I think I might shed a tear or two."