The former Mannum resident has been nominated to compete in the 100 metres and 200m at the Games in August and will find out in June if she needs to book her plane ticket.

McPherson has cerebal palsy, but has not let that dampen her spirit for sport.

Her running ability was first recognised in 2002 by a teacher who had previously worked with the Australian Institute of Sport.

“He told me to put on some shorts and run and said to me I should look for a coach,” McPherson said.

Six years on and she trains five to six times a week with coach Steve Butler and other paralympians at McKinnon Parade in Adelaide.

Butler has trained with the likes of dual paralympian and former Murray Bridge woman Katrina Web.

McPherson said competing in the 2012 Paralympics in London had been her initial goal and said she had not thought too much about Beijing.

She has stepped up her training workload in readiness for what she says will hopefully be some good news in June.

“I love it (running), it’s so good,” McPherson said.

“It has been a lot of hard work to get where I am.

“I have already stepped up the training, I’m now doing a lot more track and gym work.”

The Bridgewater resident works at Aberfoyle Park Foodland and said her workplace, along with her friends and family had been very supportive of her Olympic dreams.

“Work has been really good and they are really excited for me,” McPherson said.

“Mum and dad are just stoked, they can’t wait to go over to Beijing for a holiday.

“They all knew I could do it (make it to the Olympics), but didn’t know I could do it this year.”

McPherson was a keen sportswoman while growing up in Mannum and was involved in little athletics and played netball for the Mannum Roos.

But her love for running developed from a impulsive decision.

“(When my teacher told me to look for a coach) I thought I would just try it (running) and see what it’s like, but as soon as you love something you may as well do it,” McPherson said.