The opportunity to leave a legacy in London looks set to pass him by but the future remains bright for Michael Peart.

The Ipswich archer is unlikely to be pulling on the red, white and blue of Great Britain this summer, after missing out on the final automatic Olympic spot for the men’s archery team.

However, far from being downcast about his omission, the 35-year-old, who will be reserve for the team, is brimming with excitement as he contemplates his future in the sport.

Peart will be just months short of his 40th birthday by the time Brazil and the Rio Olympics come calling in 2016 and, with the Deben Archery Club member set to pursue a long-term career in coaching, the prospect of another four years training is something he will have to give serious consideration to.

“I have decided to wait until the end of the year before making my next move,” said Peart.

“There is no point continuing on with your career just for the sake of it but, at the same time, it would be silly to quit if I was still highly motivated.

“I am shooting as well as I can at the moment. The national reviews are taking place at the end of the year and that is when I will take a step back and decide what I want to do.

“Most athletes will look at a four-year cycle with the next Olympics as the target and I have to decide whether I want to commit to that.

“In terms of funding, most people are only funded with the next Olympic Games in mind as well.”

Peart started shooting in 1990 and shot compound until 2001 when he changed to recurve competition.

And the Deben Archer’s experience saw him appointed as one of Archery GB’s Olympic Development Technical Coaches, based at Lilleshall, last October.

“My own shooting comes first and I have not been able to commit as much time to the coaching as I would have liked but, long-term, that is where I see my future,” confessed Peart.

“I believe I am a run-of-the-mill plumber with world-class archery skills and I think I have a lot to offer.

“I have a range of options and I will be doing some media work in the near future too.”

Peart finished fourth in the Olympic qualification rankings but, despite having the edge over nearest rival Alan Wills at the final selection shoot, missed out after performance director Sara Symington and coach Lloyd Brown plumped for the County Durham archer.

“I shot the best I have ever done in the selection event but unfortunately I finished in fourth place,” said Peart.

“The British men’s team have just returned from Turkey where they won gold in the recurve at the World Cup. They are a world-class team.

“I am just so happy with the way I am shooting. I have had a couple of off seasons but I am working with new coaches and it is paying off.”

Peart’s partner, Nicky Hunt, also failed to land an automatic place for London but she too could yet be selected as the women’s team’s reserve.

“There is another month before a decision is made on that but that would be the ideal scenario,” Peart added.