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Stoke Olympian reveals major career change after coach 'slid into DMs' with irresistible offer
Stoke-on-Trent sprinter Ashleigh Nelson has revealed she has taken up bobsleigh after being headhunted for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Nelson, aged 33, has been a fixture on the sprint circuit since coming through the ranks at Northwood. She claimed a 100m bronze medal at the 2014 European Championships and has won relay gold at the Europeans and Commonwealth Games, as well as silver at the 2019 World Championships.
But in August she received an approach via a private message on social media from British bobsledder Adele Nicoll suggesting she had the perfect speed and strength to try her hand at a new sport. The squad is being assembled for the Winter Olympics in Milan in February 2026.
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Nelson explained with a video on Instagram: "Now people have sled in my DMs before but this time was a little different. When Adele, an international shot putter turned GB bobsled pilot, invited me to a taster session it was a challenge I couldn't say no to.
"I attended a session once a week while still continuing with my track training and let's just say it was a steep learning curve, pun intended.
"I got my first GB vest aged 15 and I've ran track ever since so learning a new sport has definitely been scary but I can honestly say that bobsleigh is like nothing I've ever done before and it always leaves me feeling exhilarated.
"I'm not sure where this journey is heading but if you're joining me on this ride, just a word of advice: pack your helmet."
Eddie Hall, England cricket star Danni Wyatt and long jumper Jazmin Sawyers, who starred at a Youth Winter Olympics in bobsleigh, have been among the famous Stoke-on-Trent sporting names to pass on their good luck wishes.
