Birmingham, August 2023 — British athlete Nicoll is confidently preparing to switch gears from winter bobsleigh to summer shot put, aiming to build on recent successes and improve upon her eighth-place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
From Bobsleigh to Shot Put: A Winter Athlete’s Transition
Nicoll’s unique training regimen, honed through the demands of bobsleigh, is proving to be a powerful asset as she returns to her original sport.
- Nicoll has secured British shot put titles in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
- Her bobsleigh training has dramatically improved her strength, speed, and mental resilience.
- She has lost 20kg of bodyweight while developing the power to move a 175kg bobsleigh.
- Nicoll’s ambitions extend beyond the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics to winning medals in both sports.
Nicoll has demonstrated a remarkable ability to transition between the two disciplines, stating, “In the last few years I’ve shown that I can go away for the winter and come back.” This adaptability is fueled by the intense physical conditioning required for bobsleigh.
The Unexpected Benefits of Bobsleigh Training
“Bobsleigh gets you in phenomenal shape, even if you don’t want to do sport, if you train like a bobsledder, you’ll be the fittest you’ve ever been in your life,” Nicoll explained. The sport has fundamentally transformed her as an athlete, leading to a 20kg weight loss and the development of the strength and speed necessary to propel a 175kg bobsleigh down the track.
What kind of mental fortitude does bobsleigh require? Nicoll emphasizes the mental challenge, stating, “I’m the strongest, the fastest and also the most mentally resilient I’ve been because lifting bobsleighs in -20 degrees is not fun.”
The demanding conditions have instilled a level of mental toughness that she believes will be invaluable in her shot put career. “Pushing through those moments, it is a phenomenal sport and it has happened to complement athletics very well,” she added.
Balancing Priorities and Future Goals
Nicoll acknowledges the need for careful planning and prioritization as she juggles both sports. “It will involve sensible decisions, strategy and prioritisation, if I can keep up with shot put alongside it then fantastic.” However, her primary focus is now on bobsleigh, with ambitions that extend beyond the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
“Bobsleigh has very quickly become my priority and I’ve got more ambitions than Milan-Cortina, I want to go on and win Olympic medals,” she stated, signaling a long-term commitment to the sport.
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