Generation games: Athletes following parents' footsteps

Nature or nurture? Steve Redgrave is helping mentor a number of young athletes seeking to qualify for the London Olympics.

Among them are Lynsey Sharp and Eilish McColgan, two 21-year-old runners competing at the test event this weekend. But these two have an extra advantage in that if they want some advice on competing in a Games, albeit not winning five gold medals, they need never leave home. McColgan is the daughter of Liz, former world 10,000m champion and silver medallist at the '88 Games. Sharp's father, Cameron, was a sprinter at the '80 Olympics.

"My mum still speaks as if silver was a disappointment," says McColgan.

"Mv dad says to me there is nothing like an Olympics," adds Sharp. "No matter what you do, when you walk out you will be like, 'Oh my God'."