EDINBURGH athlete Lynsey Sharp isn't short of advice as she takes the next step on her road to 2012.
Coached by former world record holder Liz McColgan, the 17-year old is the daughter of former British internationalists Cameron and Carol.
And her family will be in her cheering squad this week with Sharp lining up in this evening's 800m heats at
the World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
"I got my first international experience at last year's youth games but this is a big step up and I can't wait," said Sharp.
"This sort of experience is just invaluable, I'm going to try and soak everything in and just learn as much as possible.
"It's a huge help to use my mum and dad's experience and they are always there for me to offer any advice or answer any questions I may have.
"They know what it takes to compete at the highest level and that could give me an edge over my fellow competitors."
The Edinburgh AC athlete – who has just completed her Advanced Highers at Mary Erskine School – has lowered her personal best twice in the last month, clocking 2.04.44 in a competitive race at the recent British Milers' Club meeting in Manchester.
She ran disappointingly at last week's Bank of Scotland Cup at Grangemouth but insists she's ready to learn from that lesson.
And should she make Friday's final, she'll have the perfect incentive to win– it coincides with her 18th birthday.
"I can't think of a much more perfect present than a medal," she added.
• THE Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative supports Britain's young sporting hopefuls on their journey to London 2012. For more information please visit www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/Local_Heroes
The full article contains 297 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
