Woolley, a member of Britain's four-men crew that competed at this year's world Championships, will take up his new role with immediate effect, performance director Gary Anderson told insidethegames.

"I am determined to build a 'world-class" support network around our athletes leading into Sochi that is sustainable," said Anderson.

"Chris brings with him a wealth of knowledge in athlete preparation and the science underpinning performance that will be vital to us.

"He is already working on projects such our summer training camp at the Michael Johnson Performance Centre in Texas and our new performance analysis programme.

"His role will be very much hands on with our athletes and coaching team."

The 29-year-old Woolley graduated from the University of Wales at Bangor with a BSc in Sports Science in 2004 and earned s a Master of Exercise Science from Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia in 2007.

"I believe that I reached the best I could be as an athlete and I needed a fresh challenge within the sport," he said.

"I have always believed that the programme Gary has set up and the support we have received from UK Sport will allow us to become genuine medal contenders in Sochi."

British Bobsleigh athletes return to training next week after a short break, the programme being dramatically different from previous years with the women on full-funding and plans to spend a large amount of time on ice prior to the season starting in November.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2011: Search starts for bobsleigh medal winners
December 2010: British Bobsleigh will "leave no stone unturned" in Sochi 2014 medal quest
December 2010: Hockey winner, badminton loser latest in UK Sport funding review
September 2010: British Bobsleigh appoint new chairman
September 2010: Britain begin preparing girls bobsleigh team for Innsbruck 2012