The UK’s bid to host the Olympics in 2012 seemed doomed to fail in the minds of most onlookers which made the stunning victory over the Paris, New York, Moscow and Madrid bids all the sweeter.

The spectacular victory helps explain why Sara Friend is one of the handful of lawyers to be included in the Hot 100 twice. The British Olympic Association’s director of legal affairs’ inclusion is all the rarer, as her two appearances are in consecutive years.

Few lawyers will have enjoyed a moment of triumph last year as much as Friend. It came on 6 July, when the British 2012 bid emerged as the winner. The work she and her team managed in the months leading up to the announcement was immense. Her organisation is responsible for the development of the Olympic movement in the UK for taking the UK team to the Games.

With plans for the UK to enter every event in 2012, Friend’s workload from here on in is only likely to dwarf her efforts until now.