THE former athletics coach of Olympic skeleton bob silver medallist Shelley Rudman has paid tribute to the ex-Swindon Harrier after her dramatic success at the Turin Winter Games.
Rudman was coached by Howard Moscrop, a teacher at St Joseph's Upper School, in her last two years with the Harriers before she went from New College to the University of Bath.
Moscrop (below), the reigning European Veterans 400m hurdles champion and record holder and a former world veterans 400m hurdles champion, said: "It was a great achievement by Shelley to win a silver medal.
"I really enjoyed watching the event and was quite nervous for her.
"She always had an enthusiasm to succeed and has found her niche in skeleton racing.
"Best of luck to her she has taken the opportunity with both hands."
The Harriers team manager and coach recalled Swindon-born Rudman's days at the club where her father Jack, also from Pewsey, was a member and competed in the throwing events in Southern B League matches in the early 1990s.
"Shelley was a very good junior 400m hurdler," he said.
"But things didn't seem to go quite right after moving to Bath and didn't fulfill her potential.
"It happens with some athletes with the change in environment, coaches and different training methods.
"Shelley began as a 100m hurdler but did not have the basic speed really for that event. But her stamina was ideally suited for the switch to 400m hurdling.
"She was a good county athlete and got into the national rankings and competed regularly for the Harriers in Southern Women's League matches.
"Shelley still holds Harriers' 400m flat and 400m hurdles records.
"Obviously the skeleton event requires different skills but her capabilities as an athlete would have helped her as well.
"It is nice to think that I played a small part and helped her on her way to an Olympic silver medal."
Paul Smith, the head of Sport at New College, who taught Rudman during her two years there studying for a National Diploma in Sports Science said: " It was a fabulous achievement and I was jumping up and down all the time.
"We have had four Olympians at New College and we are very pleased and proud. Shelley's picture was already in our the Hall of Fame, now it is pride of place.
"She was always a determined student and a good trainer.
Rudman meanwhile, is convinced her medal can help transform the sport of skeleton into one of Britain's most popular winter pursuits.
Her second place in Cesana Pariol on Thursday night is set to secure a significant raise in funding for the British Bob Skeleton Association which also produced 2002 bronze medallist Alex Coomber.
Rudman said: "I hope my silver medal has put skeleton on the map and secured more funding for it because we are doing very well despite being at a disadvantage.
Rudman is also expected to receive a major increase in her personal funding with UK Sport confirming they will provide her with an annual £23,000 Athlete Personal Award from April.
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