London 2012 - Day 14: Stevenson’s medal hopes in McPherson’s hands, Luke Campbell fights for place in final

The 29-year-old No 4 seed was beaten 5-1 by Paige McPherson in the first round of taekwondo’s -67kg category.

She now needs McPherson to go all the way to the final to give the Doncaster woman a chance of fighting for bronze through the repechage.

Stevenson, a double world champion and Beijing bronze medallist, lost both her parents to illness last year.

She said: “It’s been hard. For the mental side, every single day in the last 18 months, every single day.

“I did my best. My dad wanted me to be here, so I am here and I know they (her parents) would be proud.

“I would have been forgiven to quit, sit in the corner and cry, but I am not a quitter and I would never have quit.

“I just wanted to be here and do my best, and have no regrets.

“I want to wake up tomorrow and have no regrets and I think I might be able to do that.

“Obviously I’m going to be a bit disappointed, but that was my aim and my family’s aim.”

On her chances at redemption through the repechage, Stevenson added: “I am going to keep going and hope she gets through and have another go hopefully.”

McPherson fights in the quarter-final at 3.30pm and the semi-final at 5pm.

Also at the ExCel Arena today, Hull bantamweight Luke Campbell meets Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu in the semi-final with a bronze medal already assured, but a place in the final up for grabs.

York’s Richard Buck will be hoping to earn a call-up to the British’s men’s 4x400m relay team for tonight’s final in the Olympic Stadium.

He was an unused member of the team for yesterday morning’s heat.