World champion bringing inspiration to the classroom

Miss Minichiello is one of 17 athletes taking part in the Sky Sports-sponsored Living For Sport programme, which aims to use sport to motivate youngsters to do better at school.

She will spend the day with a group at Balby Carr Community Sports college and talk to them about how she overcame adversity to become a world champion.

Martin Dye, PE teacher at the school in Weston Road, Balby, said: "It's very exciting to have such an inspiring figure as Nicola Minichiello give up her time for us like this.

"The pupils have been looking forward to the visit and have worked really hard to make the day a success."

Miss Minichiello said she had struggled to fit in during her school career and was targeted by bullies but found the determination to beat them through taking part in sport. She added: "I'm looking forward to visiting the school and seeing the young people there get involved in Living for Sport. I want to give them the encouragement to be the best they can be."

Before competing in bobsleigh, Miss Minichiello was a top-ranked heptathlete entering international competitions for more than eight years. She transferred to her current sport in 2001.

Since then she has won a silver medal at the world championships in 2005 and last year was crowned world bobsleigh champion. She has also competed in two Winter Olympic games.

Living for Sport is organised by the charity Youth Sport Trust.