UK Sport's Talent ID program has launched a new online application system, opening doors for aspiring Winter Olympians. The initiative, which has produced gold medallists like Matt Weston and Tabitha Stoecker, tests physical performance and matches athletes with suitable sports. After Weston and Stoecker's recent victories, the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association received 4,000 applications in just 48 hours.

Since 2005, the program has identified natural athletes and matched them with sports they may never have considered. Participants undergo tests measuring power, stamina, speed, and agility, with examiners also assessing emotional regulation and pressure response. While applications are open to anyone aged 17 or over, selection still requires exceptional natural ability. Dr Kate Baker emphasizes that different sports demand different physical attributes.

The program has been particularly successful for winter sports, where athletes often lack prior exposure. Stoecker, a former circus performer, discovered skeleton through an Instagram advert. The system also supports Paralympic recruitment, grouping similar sports and considering impairment types. While not all sports suit this approach - curling requires technical skills developed from a young age - success stories like Helen Glover prove that late starters can achieve Olympic glory. As Glover advises: 'Just go on, go for it - you don't know what's going to happen.'