Ballinamallard-born Karen Cromie, a star athlete who lost the power of her lower limbs following a fall in her home, is on line for a tilt at an Olympic medal at the London 2012 Games.

Having previously represented Great Britain in wheelchair basketball, she switched to rowing and last Friday, along with her rowing partner, Vincent Culhane she finished in fourth spot in the B final of the adaptive truck and arms double event in this year's World Championships in Poland.

Given their disappointment at not getting into the top six placings in the 'A' final (placings from 7th to 11th were eligible to compete in the B final), it represented some comfort.

Having switched positions in their new boat between the A heats and the semi-final, their performance improved, and in this their first season together, maintaining a place that would ensure qualification for the 2012 Olympics would have been a move in the right direction.

But, speaking after missing out in the A final, Karen was heartened that she and Vincent recorded a faster time in the repechage and were only one second behind Israel from the other race.

"To know that is positive and, with a little more training in our new set-up, we're going out to win the B final. To come home from our first World Championships in the top eight would be very pleasing."

As events turned out, they came 10th but, according to Karen's father, Alex, the hard work starts now for London 2012.

"It was disappointing, but they're at the start of a three-year training programme. This was only their second regatta together and, while they were disappointed with their performance, they had to start somewhere.

"It's a new partnership and a new boat. It just takes time to settle in and they recognise now where they have to go."

Karen is now based in Belfast and is a full-time athlete. She and her rowing partner, Vincent train in Limerick and in Cork and on the Lagan, with Belfast Rowing Club.