Olympic hopes are made life-size as athlete sees double on Tussauds visit

The 25-year-old heptathlon star, who has been world number one for the last three years, said she was “blown away” seeing it for the first time.

“I cannot believe just how realistic it is. They’ve got me down to a T,” she said.

“Every little detail is so accurate, from the eyes right down to my abs – it is quite strange to be looking at your exact double.”

Ennis’s replica was created in celebratory pose, raising the Union Jack aloft in triumph.

It wears kit donated by the athlete, took four months to complete and cost £150,000.

The star, who won gold at the 2009 world championships in Berlin, said: “The waxwork is brilliant.

“When they asked me to come down to get measured up it was a real surprise but a real honour and it is very exciting.

“It’s quite surreal to stand next to it. The likeness is incredible, they’ve really brought it out in the eyes.”

She said she was preparing for next month’s world championships but was already beginning to feel nervous about the 2012 games.

“Hopefully I will do this one proud,” she said.

Madame Tussauds is planning to unveil two more members of the 2012 Team GB and a mystery international superstar.

The one-year countdown to the games is being marked today with the appearance of a set of 10 stamps by the Royal Mail.

The first-class stamps – Get ready for 2012 – feature classic Olympic sports such as field athletics and gymnastics, as well as more recent additions such as triathlon and handball.

Jeanette Kwakye, Team GB 100-metre sprinter, who helped unveil the stamps at the Games stadium, said they were “beautifully designed”.

“All three sets provide a fitting tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Being at this superb stadium just makes me want to compete today. I can’t wait to be part of it,” she said.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “As we reach the one-year countdown to London 2012, these stamps are a celebration of what is set to be a great event in UK sporting history.

“Our stamps celebrate the more traditional sports such as athletics and aquatics, through to newer sports including wheelchair rugby.”

The Royal Mail has created a total of 30 stamps to mark the 30th Olympiad. The designs, created by 30 different artists, feature every sport in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

n Read how Jessica Ennis is handling the pressure of being the face of London 2012 in the Yorkshire Post’s Sports Monday.