By Peter Jones

Top British archer Larry Godfrey has his sights set on two targets - a strong performance at this week's World Championships in Germany, and next year's Olympics in Beijing.

Godfrey announced his arrival at the top level of international archery when he finished fourth at the Athens Olympics three years ago.

Godfrey came so close to a medal in Athens

Since then, he has been one of the world's leading performers, but by his own high standards this year he has rarely delivered.

"I've not been shooting well in international competitions this year, and I am really disappointed by that," said Bristol-based Godfrey, 31, who is part of a 10-strong British squad in Germany.

"That is why Leipzig is so important to me - I really want to make an impact, and make up for some below average performances so far this year."

Gloucestershire's Godfrey refuses to look too far ahead. After Leipzig he heads to Dover for the fourth leg of the Meteksan FITA World Cup series.

But however well he does at that tournament, he is out of contention for an overall top-four series finish, and with it, qualification to the World Cup Grand Final in Dubai in November.

"It is wonderful that a major international archery tournament is taking place in Britain, and it's going to be a great week," he said.

"It is really good news for archery because it puts our sport on the map, and I know that the organisers and the local authorities in Dover have been doing a great job in profile raising.

"And I'm also aware that Dover has one eye on the London Olympics in 2012, and, in hosting this event at the end of July, the town hopes to attract competitors and officials to set up home their in the build-up to the London Games."

"I hope for me, the road to Beijing starts at Leipzig, and I am fully focussed on doing well at the Worlds Larry Godfrey

But the London Olympics is not on Godfrey's radar at present.

Instead, he is looking forward 12 months hence, to the 2008 Beijing Games. He hopes to be there, and not just as an also-ran.

"Being part of the Olympics is something you dream about as a child, and to go to Athens was a wonderful experience," he said.

"And then, to cap it all, I ended up shooting for the bronze medal against Tim Cuddihy of Australia. Though I lost by just one point, it was really proud to have come so close.

"So now I want to go to Beijing and win a medal this time. I feel I am more than capable of doing that, but competition is very strong, and I am going to have to be at the top of my game to get anywhere near a medal.

"I hope for me, the road to Beijing starts at Leipzig, and I am fully focussed on doing well at the Worlds.

"I haven't had a great World Cup, but I know I am good enough to compete at the highest level, and that's what I will be setting out to achieve in Germany."

Although he has not been satisfied with his own form so far this season, the highlight of the year so far was winning a gold medal as part of the men's recurve team at the World Cup tournament in Verase, Italy.

Indeed, Britain has been strong all year in team events - there have also been medals for the women's recurve and the men's compound teams.

"Winning the gold medal in Verase with Simon Terry and Alan Wills was a great achievement, and we are very strong in team competitons," said Godfrey.

"We all get along great, there's a very good team spirit in the GB camp, and I'm sure that has much to do with our success in team competitons."