She was in the British team that expected to get to Greece (England do not enter as an individual nation) but the qualifying tournament turned into a nightmare.
Leisa said: "We drew 2-2 against New Zealand after being 2-0 up at half time and then we lost to Germany. That was poor and we did not perform to anything like our ability."
Britain still had a chance of qualifying but their hopes of Olympic glory ended when they lost 2-0 in a play-off against Korea. "We just could not believe it," said Leisa. "It was awful and sad to see that so many dreams had been shattered.  "With 20 people in the dressing room there were a lot of tears because it was a massive thing to throw away. We never believed that would happen and we were so shocked.
"Not qualifying for the Olympics was a huge disaster. It was something we dreamed of going to and had trained for three years for. "Everything went wrong and you do not want that to happen in an Olympic qualifier. Maybe we were far too confident and thought we would walk it."

After the failure to reach Athens, British coach Trisha Heberle quit and a number of players have since announced their international retirements. Leisa has not done this but admitted that the qualifying defeat took the edge off the sport for her. She said: "We prepared so well. We travelled the world and went to South Africa, Argentina and Australia to get as much experience as possible. 
"We were full time for two years, training every day. We thought we were going to achieve something massive but did not. "You just felt deflated and did not know what to do with yourself. "We thought what's the point? We had done all that work and given up our lives but not got anything. 
"It was a massive blow and it has taken time to get over it." 

Leisa took three months out of the sport after the qualifying event but admitted she watched the Olympic hockey tournament on television.
"It was very strange," said Leisa. "It was good to see Germany win (the gold medal) but we knew we had beaten them before and that was quite hard. "I think we could have done well but it was not to be."
England were scheduled to play a hockey international against Germany today but Leisa was not included in the squad. She hoped she had a successful season with Ipswich but was not sure if she wanted to represent the national team again.
She said: "It makes you very proud to play for your country but it is a massive commitment."
"In the last two years I have been constantly on the go travelling around the world and it takes a lot of your time and a lot of your life. "The Commonwealth Games are in 2006 so possibly that could be a goal but I am not sure. If I still enjoy playing and feel I have got the fitness then maybe I will have a go.
"It is something I need to think about. If I choose to do it then I have to put everything into it again. 
"I am partly waiting for the England coach to be announced and see what happens within the organisation."
So does she still have the same hunger to play for her country? 
"I don't know," said Leisa. "If I was 100 per cent sure I would possibly be playing now so I will have to see."
Despite being a regular in the England side for the last few years, Leisa insisted there was still more she wanted to achieve.
She said: "I do not think I have reached my best yet so it is whether I continue and go for another few years.
"I still want to win things like the Europeans with England and Commonwealth Games after that."
"I am not quite satisfied with what I have done so it is a possibility. "If I am enjoying playing and decide I will give the time up to do it then yes, I will continue."
Few hockey players are professional and Leisa works full time in the safety department for railways company One. She praised her bosses for allowing her to play for her country.
She said: "They have been fantastic. You do not get many companies that give you time off but they have been excellent."
The 2002 Commonwealth Games provided Leisa with the best moment of her career when she was a key member of the England side who reached the final.
She said: "When you look back you think, wow, what an experience but, at the time, it was just another tournament.
"We just played every game and did not realise what we had done until afterwards.
"For me that was the best because that is the closest I will get to the Olympics. It was a fantastic experience and something I will not forget.
"It was just a shame we did not win the gold medal as we deserved to."
England lost to India 3-2 in the final but the match ended in controversy as the British players and coaches argued the game had already finished before India scored their third goal.
Leisa, 31, of Withipoll Street, Ipswich, has appeared for England 93 times and Great Britain on another 19 occasions. 
She was part of the Ipswich team that won the EHA (English Hockey Association) Cup in 2002 and has also achieved individual success by winning the UK Player of the Year title in 2002.
She concluded: "I have been privileged to do all that stuff and not that many people can say they have played for their country."

PROFILE: 

Name: Leisa King
Date of Birth: 24/11/72
Sport: Hockey
Teams: Ipswich Ladies Hockey Club, England (93 internationals), Great
Britain (19 internationals)
Position: Midfielder / forward
Biggest influence on career: Sandie Lister (Ipswich coach and former GB
captain)
Favourite film: Pretty Woman
Favourite band: U2

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