Hanlen said she was told of her selection on Monday night and had to keep quiet before the official announcement yesterday. "I'm so rapt I was so happy when they officially named me. I got a phone call [on Monday night], but was told I had to keep it quiet."
The women's mountainbiking race is set for August 11 and until then, Hanlen said she would be spending the time building up for the race.
She would be competing in a World Cup race in France on July 28 and would travel to London for the "big one".
"I've had a couple of weeks off since getting home, it's been a long season and I needed to recharge my batteries," she said. "I'll be hitting some endurance sessions and spending long hours on my bike. I've got less than 10 weeks, it's cool - it's exactly what I want to do."
Hanlen won't be travelling alone.
Accompanying her will be husband Mark, her parents and sister, and two work friends. She was also hoping to get help from Air New Zealand in bringing her two children over.
"I've had so much support, it's been great. My work mates have done a lot for me."
Although she said she should now get financial help from the New Zealand Olympic Committee and BikeNZ, Hanlen said the fundraising efforts from the Whakatane community had made her sporting career much easier this year. She said it was the kind of support only found in small towns.
BikeNZ High Performance Director Mark Elliott said he was delighted with the selection of Hanlen in the team.
"To achieve such strong performances with such a short time in the sport, as a working physiotherapist with a young family is outstanding and she has the opportunity now to shine on the biggest stage."
Hanlen will be joining a contingent of Eastern Bay and Rotorua Olympians. Also travelling to London are cyclists Julian Dean and Sam Bewley, kayakers Mike Dawson, Luuka Jones and Lisa Carrington, rower Julia Edward, BMXer Sarah Walker, windsurfer Jon-Paul Tobin and shot putter Valerie Adams.
