Idem eyes eighth Olympics with family support

By Balazs Koranyi

BEIJING (Reuters) - Italian kayaking silver medalist Josefa Idem is looking forward to competing at the 2012 Olympics in London, just two months short of her 48th birthday.

The German-born kayaker who will turn 44 next month, was greeted by her two sons, who had evaded Beijing Olympics security, lakeside on Saturday after she was beaten by 0.004 seconds in the kayaking 500 meters singles race.

"I never say it's my last Olympic Games," Idem said after she was pipped for gold by Ukraine's Inna Osypenko-Radomska.

"This is a question my family has answered a long time ago and they said, 'oh sure she will be in London'.

"It's like giving birth to a child. It's difficult but when you see your beautiful creation, you're ready to make the next run and it's the same with the Olympics."

Idem, who first competed at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 and won a 500m kayak gold in Sydney in 2000 said she had no reason to retire as her family, including sons 13-year-old Janek and five-year-old Jonas stood in full support.

"They are my most precious medals in my sports career," Idem said of her children.

"I'm just common working woman. My sister had to work the night shift last night and she has two children.

"There are so many women who work hard, have children and they don't get a medal. I get a medal."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)