Grainger finds fresh focus Challenge: Olympian aims to deliver in new role as chairwoman of UK Sport

Dame Katherine Grainger believes taking on one of the most influential positions in British sport has more than helped fill the void of competitive action.

The five-time Olympic medallist, who grew up in Aberdeenshire, was appointed as the new chairwoman of UK Sport in April.

Grainger was in Scotland this week for the first time in her official capacity, visiting the new national curling academy in Stirling and meeting some of the athletes as they prepare for next year’s Olympic Winter Games at Pyeongchang in South Korea.

The 41-year-old, who won silver in rowing’s double sculls at the Rio 2016 Olympics, is relishing her new role.

She said: “I finished in Rio, and I knew in my heart that was it.

“But it’s weird – after

“I didn’t want a full-time job and I had other things I was doing”

25 years I still find it hard to admit I’m not an athlete any more.

“It was hard to accept it was over but then inevitably I started thinking what was next?

“A lot of athletes struggle with what is the next step. I still felt passionate about sport but I didn’t know what angle to go in at.

“I didn’t want a fulltime job and I had other things I was doing. Then I got an e-mail saying ‘are you aware of this job,