“Chase your dreams” Adele urges Welshpool youngsters

Welshpool elite athlete Adele Nicoll has sent an inspirational message to youngsters in the Welshpool area on the eve of her bobsleigh team’s campaign at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Friday.

Adele told us she is “ready to step in if need be” in her role as reserve brakewoman for Team GB’s two-woman bobsleigh outfit which will be piloted by Mica McNeill, with 2008 100m Olympian, Montell Douglas, joining her in the sled.

She took the time this afternoon ahead of what promises to be an enthralling day to send a message of appreciation to her huge following back home and hopes that her ongoing journey can inspire the next generation.

“Never let being from a small place like Welshpool stop you from achieving your dreams,” said the 25-year-old, who is also expected to compete for Wales in shot putt at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Adele booked her place in the team after stepping in for a pair of World Cup events in January and helping McNeill secure the required points to qualify for Beijing.

On tomorrow’s event

“I am really excited to see what the girls can produce in the race. I am right behind them, there on the start deck, cheering them on and helping them with whatever they need to achieve their best possible position to put down a great time in the race. 

“So Heat 1 and 2 are on tomorrow from 12 noon (UK time), and 1.30pm for heat two. Three and 4 will be the next day at the same times.”

On being part of the team

“This week I was able to help the sled qualify for the race by taking part in the official sliding session. It was great to be back on ice and be able to have my moment on the Olympic track. I could see what difference the last few months of hard work on my technical pushing has made and my athletic training as I was able to see the start times now in comparison to the start times back in October at the test event.

“Everything is extremely positive and I am really looking forward to see what my future in this sport goes. I have a lot of plans and I am hoping to start working on them as soon as I get back home.”

What about Athletics?

“The British Championships for Athletics are actually next weekend so I am hoping to fly home and be able to compete at that, depending on how the body is feeling after landing."

Is there a chance you could actually compete in Beijing this week?

“My main focus out here is supporting the girls ready for the race and I am staying ready to race if called upon and I promise that I am in a great place, so if I do need to race then I am ready. It was great to take to the field of play this week and be a part of the Olympic Games in the official sessions.”

How proud are you being a part of Team GB? 

“I am super grateful to be out here. It’s an honour to be representing Team GB, but not just Team GB but Wales as a nation and Welshpool as my home town. I have had an unbelievable amount of support from everyone back home and I just want to keep making everyone proud.”

What message do you have for girls and boys growing up in the Welshpool area?

“I just want to reiterate that it doesn’t matter where you come from. As everyone in Welshpool knows, it is a small town but we don't have to be small minded people, we can look outside of that and we can go and achieve our dreams despite where we come from.

“I just want all the children growing up in the town to see me achieving my dreams and know that I came from the same place as them. It takes is a lot of support from your family but mainly self-belief, because they can support as much as they want but at the end of the day you have got to want it yourself and believe it yourself.”