Oldham skeleton slider Brogan Crowley paid tribute to team-mate Laura Deas for helping her navigate a first Olympic experience in Beijing.

Deas, who won bronze at PyeongChang 2018 behind gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold, is the only veteran on a four-strong squad hoping to continue Team GB’s fine skeleton record.

Crowley is at the other end of the scale when it comes to experience and is leaning heavily on her Team GB colleague’s advice.

“It’s been really good to have Laura around,” said Crowley, whose Olympic campaign gets underway in the early hours of Friday morning.“We’ve worked together a lot in the last couple of years.

“She can give a little bit of advice and input into what to expect.

“It’s a bit different this time with Covid but it’s an Olympics, they’re all the same in that we aim to come here and perform.”

A former heptathlete specialising in sprint hurdles, Crowley was inspired by watching Yarnold win gold at Sochi 2014 and found the sport through a talent identification programme.

She first began competing on the global circuit in 2019 and finished in 23rd place on World Championship debut last year, with a World Cup personal best of fifth.

“As a first timer, I don’t really have any expectations,” said Crowley.

“Obviously I’m aiming for medals, as all athletes are, but I’m aiming for four consistent runs because I’ve struggled to be consistent in the past. I’m aiming to put a solid performance down.”

Crowley competes in heats one and two on Friday with heats three and four taking place early on Saturday morning. She is one of few athletes of colour in a 50-strong Team GB in China and she is fiercely proud to represent her community.

“It’s incredible,” she said. “A few people have asked me that before and you don’t see it so much in winter sports.

“I want to inspire another generation of young children and athletes to get into sport and believe they can achieve what they want to achieve.”

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