Basketball star Lauren Jackson says 2012 has been the hardest of her playing career

SHE was Australia's flag-bearer in London but an emotional Lauren Jackson has revealed 2012 has been "the hardest period of my life".

SHE carried the Australian flag into the opening ceremony at the London Olympics but an emotional Lauren Jackson yesterday revealed 2012 has been "the hardest period of my life".

The four-time Olympian made her intentions known that she wants to play on to try and help Australia win gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro - but the challenge facing Australia's queen of the basketball court is whether her body will be up for the trip.

Jackson has been suffering chronic hamstring and back problems since before the London Olympics and she admits the past few months have been an emotional rollercoaster.

"Personally it has been one of the best years of my life in terms of a lot of the individual accolades but in terms of playing it has been the hardest period of my life," the 31-year-old said.

"While I am experiencing all this joy and these amazing personal achievements I have had to play with this bloody thing and I tell you what, it has been a nightmare.

"It is my life so of course I am a little emotional about it but I am at the point now where I am not as emotional about it.

"Before I was frustrated and angry but you can't be like that for ever."

Jackson initially suffered the injury way back in June during a match for the Opals in the Czech Republic and it has got progressively worse to the point where she now even struggles to stand up for extended periods.

Even yesterday at the launch of the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, to be held in Sydney in January, Jackson was in obvious pain and asked to sit down during her interview with The Daily Telegraph.

"I have never really had a year like this of personal glory and this injury that has held me back for so long,' she said.

"I feel like I haven't been able to play at my best because I have always been limping and all sorts of things."

Asked what hope she gives herself of making it to the Rio Games, Jackson added: "I want to play, there is no doubt about it. I have just got to get this fixed and then move forward.

"I am playing now more in Australia so I will have the AIS as a resource and they have been amazing with my body, they always seem to get me right. I feel pretty confident with those guys on my side and being in Australia I will be able to take care of it."

Jackson said she was still training off-court every day for the Canberra Capitals but was careful not to let her enthusiasm impact her injury.

"I feel good and I love the sport and I am very passionate about it still but injuries unfortunately have been a part of my career,' she said.

"Obviously a gold medal (for the Opals) would be fantastic. I think we have the potential to get to that gold medal place and I hope I am part of that team when it happens."