Cassandra Patten, the Brit who took silver over 10km by a stroke behind Larissa Ilchenko (RUS) at the World Championships in Melbourne last March in her first big global Open water race, has been honoured by her national Olympic committee.

The British Olympic Association has awarded an Athlete of the Year trophy each year since 2005 to one athlete in each Olympic sport that has enjoyed world-class success. The athlete is selected by the national federation of each respective sport. With four years a few months remaining until London welcomes the world to the 2012 Games, no divers, synchronised swimmers or water polo players were deemed worthy of making the list of winners.

BOA Chief Executive Simon Clegg: 'The presentation of these trophies recognises the drive, determination and commitment of athletes across all of our Olympic sports as they strive to achieve their goals in the international sporting arena. The BOA hopes to welcome as many of these athletes as possible in to Team GB in the coming Olympiads.'

Patten, guided by Sean Kelly, the Stockport coach who helped Stephen Parry to the bronze over 200m butterfly at Athens in 2004, is aiming to race in the inaugural 10km event in Beijing but will also aim to make the pool team at trials from March 31 to April 6 in Sheffield. Patten trains with fellow Open Water and pool distance free specialist Kerri-Anne Payne, another capable of springing an Open Water surprise in China, while aiming to make the pool squad.