In fact, she'd spend even more if that's what was required to watch daughter Lauren race on the world's grandest stage in the 400 metres hurdles at the Olympic Games.

And the reason is simple: ''You want to just give them a hug afterwards.

''You've just got to do it, you've got to buy the tickets, you have to be there and there's no way we wouldn't be there,'' Kerry said.

''You just want to see your child competing, I hate it when I can't see her compete.

''My heart will be pounding out of my chest, I won't be able to eat beforehand, but that's the experience.''

While the athletes will be on centre stage for the next two weeks, treated like royalty and living their dreams, their parents and families have put their lives on hold.

Decked out in Australian flags, face paint, gold wigs and supporters' gear, the support networks are having their own Olympic experience.

It will be easy to spot them.

They'll be the ones doubled over with nerves before their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers or mothers step into the spotlight.

They'll gasp when something doesn't seem right. They'll wince watching every step. And when it's all over, they'll probably be the ones in tears.

Judy and Fred Flanagan had no hesitation booking their tickets to the Games. They left Canberra in mid July to prepare themselves for the journey.

Their daughter Anna will play for the Hockeyroos.

''Apparently dad wanted to try to sneak in his vuvuzela, but I'm hoping mum doesn't let him,'' Anna said.

Judy has a supporter's outfit with ''Flanno's mum'' written on it so Anna can spot her in the crowd.

''It's a great sense of relief, it's been a long 12 months and there's been a lot of pressure for Anna to get there,'' Judy said.

''Anna gives us all of her old uniforms so I've used a couple of her older shirts to put something together which is recognisable as well.

''I'm always nervous, I'm the anxious one and the hurdle is getting them on the pitch and hopefully they go well when they get out there.''

The easy option for Kathie Dent, the wife of marathon runner Martin, would have been to watch the Olympics at home in Canberra.

With three boys under five years, a 22-hour flight and getting around a packed Olympic precinct could prove a nightmare.

But with the help of Dent's parents and his brothers and sisters in London, Kathie and their sons didn't think twice when he was selected by Athletics Australia.

They left Canberra two days before Martin.

Now Elye, Connor and Hayden get to watch their dad run around London.

''We knew we'd just fit it in with everything and the boys love it as well,'' Kathie said. ''We've even started to teach the boys how to do a relay race and Martin is great after the races, even after a 42-kilometre marathon he finds the time to play with the boys.

''They've got endless energy … maybe they're getting it off Martin.''

Sprinter Melissa Breen's parents Mike and Bev have travelled the world to watch their daughter race in the 100 metres. They were late booking their tickets because they were unsure whether Breen would be granted a discretionary selection by Athletics Australia.

But even after a price rise at the last minute, the Breens didn't contemplate staying at home.

Breen asked her parents not to go to India to watch her at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Dehli.

Bev and Mike obliged because Melissa was concerned about their safely.

''But we weren't going to miss this one … it's hard to watch when you can't be there because you're waiting to hear how she performs and that's tough,'' Bev said.

''When she got back I said to her if she ever goes to a big event I'm going, I'm not sitting at home watching.''