Frances Nicholls. Rower

BT Global Services business support specialist Fran Nicholls is walking tall as a BT Ambassador for London 2012 - and has the London 2012 Olympic Games in her sights.

Fran was accepted on to a development programme for rowing for the 2012 event - thanks to a search by UK Sport called Sporting Giants, targeting tall athletes for the sports of rowing, handball and volleyball.

At 6ft, Fran, 23, decided to apply - and, from the 5,000 applicants, was one of 20 women selected for rowing.

Applicants were expected to relocate and begin full-time training - having been assigned a full-time coach. At the time, Fran had only been working for BT for six months in Leeds and was asked to move to Marlow to join the development squad.

Fran’s line manager found her a role which she could do part-time, four hours a day. She is now training in earnest - hoping to race at both the European and World Championships, with the ultimate goal of competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Success at two phases of Sporting Giants’ testing has seen Fran fast-tracked on to GB’s rowing world-class start programme at Marlow Rowing Club.

Fran said: “It’s an amazing opportunity, as the sport has a lot of experience in talent development.

“Although the initial stages have been tough - adjusting to full-time training and such a big lifestyle change - I am thoroughly enjoying the whole experience.”

World-class start programme manager Steve Gunn said: “There are many different facets to being an Olympic medallist - and Fran now has the opportunity to discover a journey that has a thousand steps in it and her task is to maximise her chances with dedicated coaches.