Two-times skeleton Olympian Adam Pengilly has been named as Britain's Chef de Mission for Lillehammer 2016 ©IOC

Two-times skeleton Olympian and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Adam Pengilly has been named as Chef de Mission for the British team at next year's Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

Pengilly is part of the IOC Athletes' Commission and sits on the IOC Coordination Commissions for both Lillehammer 2016 and the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Pyeongchang.

He represented Britain at the Winter Olympics in Turin in 2006, finishing eighth in the men’s skeleton event, and at Vancouver 2010, coming 18th. 

The 38-year-old from Bath, who claimed silver at the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid, will be joined by compatriots Claire Hamilton, a member of the Sochi 2014 bronze medal winning curling team, and another skeleton rider, Shelley Rudman, a silver medallist at Turin 2006.

They will act as a Young Ambassador and Athlete Role Model for the Games respectively.

“I’ve been part of Team GB before but to be leading the team at Lillehammer 2016 is very humbling and a responsibility that I’m looking forward to,” Pengilly said.

“It’s going to be a great Games."

Turin 2006 Olympic silver medallist Shelley Rudman will also work with the British team in her role as an Athlete Role Model
Turin 2006 Olympic silver medallist Shelley Rudman will also work with the British team in her role as an Athlete Role Model ©Getty Images

Pengilly added: “Lillehammer hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1994 which is regarded as arguably the best ever so I know it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the athletes.

“I think I’ve spent nine or ten birthdays in Lillehammer because of bobsleigh and skeleton, so I know the area well.

“This, coupled with my experience as an athlete across two Olympic Winter Games, should stand me in good stead to lead the team.

“The athletes will get the chance to learn about a multi-sport Games and an Olympic environment, which comes with its own magic.

“In addition, because it’s a Youth Games, they will get a wider experience of learning, sharing and interacting with athletes from other nations.

“The Games will be a great opportunity to get a real rounded development from a sporting perspective.”

The Games, reusing many venues from the 1994 Winter Olympics, are due to take place from February 12 to 21, with more than 1,000 athletes expected to compete across 70 events.

Pengilly will be tasked with leading the team of 15 to 18 year-olds at the second edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games following the inaugural event, held in Innsbruck in 2012.



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