Eatonton native and Olympic gold medalist skeet shooter Sgt. Vincent Hancock has his sights set on a second gold medal as he gears up for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

Fours years after dominating the competition in Beijing Hancock, now 23 and part of the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, understands the privilege of competing for his own country.

“It’s a great honor to represent our country,” Hancock said. “It’s an honor to represent my soldiers and showcase what we can do as a team as I’ve been a member of the Army for six years now.”

While Hancock is humble, he knows the advantages of already being in the moment during the Olympic games.

“I’ve been there an know what it’s like. I’m not going to allow myself to get distracted,” Hancock said. “I’m going to do everything I can to get ready and put everything together to compete.”

Hancock has been keeping up with his normal training routines in efforts to be prepared for competition. He’s been shooting up to six boxes of rounds per day up to seven days a week in order to emulate the feeling of competition.

The opening ceremonies, one of the most prestigious events among all sporting platforms is what Hancock can’t wait to be a part of.

“I’m really looking forward to the opening ceremonies. It’s the most surreal feeling. It’s more surreal than getting a medal,” Hancock said. “Representing the USA as a team together with the stars and stripes coming out and flashing with a brilliance is an amazing feeling with the crowd. Being a part of that is the best feeling in the world.”

 Hancock is excited to start competing and even though he’s been through the process before, he knows he will be nervous.

“I’ll know how to feel and expect how to go out there,” Hancock said. “But if you don’t feel the nerves anymore you don’t need to be in the sport anymore. It makes you feel human”

Hancock, who grew up shooting with his father and brother, says without a doubt the Olympics mean the most to him out of all the competitions he’s ever competed in.

“I gave up so much and was so dedicated and gave up a lot of friends and sports growing up,” Hancock said. “I never once thought about anything other than the gold medal. I wanted to win. My wife and my faith are the most important things in my life, but getting that gold medal was always a close second.”

With the determination he showed winning gold at the ripe age of 19 in 2008, Hancock is sure to compete for the gold once more in London.

Look for Hancock as he starts his competition Monday, July 30 with the medal round taking place on the 31st at 9 a.m. eastern time.