CHORLEY'S Olympic duo arrive in Athens this week and both are hoping to build on the success achieved at the Sydney 2000 Games.

Champion cyclist Jason Queally was the surprise first British gold-medallist at the Millennium games in his kilometre ride. Although he will not be defending his title in Athens, he will be a part of the men's sprint team, which hopes to leave the games with a gold.

And horsewoman Jeanette Brakewell, 30, competes as part of the equestrian three day event team on Sunday (August 15). Jeanette, from Brindle, scooped a silver in the Sydney Games, and hopes to go one better this time around.

Dad Joe, who runs the family farm in Brindle, will be in Athens with wife May, to watch his daughter compete.

He said: "She's been making her final preparations as normal but is obviously quite apprehensive because it is such a big event.

"She's had her horse, Over To You, since he was four and he's 16 now so I think she's more worried about how the heat will affect him than anything else."

Jeanette, who attended Withnell Fold and Gregson Lane primary schools and St Michael's CE High, moved to Melton Mowbray 18 months ago, but often returns home to visit her parents. She has been riding since she was six but her parents were still surprised when she won a medal in Sydney.

Joe said: "We were very, very proud. She's always been talented and it just seemed that she naturally progressed from one level to the next throughout her career, before winning the silver at Sydney.

"We have been all over to watch her compete, although we'd love to see more of her competitions, but the farm is a big commitment.

"Sydney was amazing but we hope it's going to be just as good in Athens."

The area's other medal hopeful, Jason Queally, still lives in Chorley with his young family. He rides in the team sprint event on August 20, and is hopeful of a gold medal.

Queally was due to fly to the Olympic Village just outside Athens on Wednesday

Shireen Durnan-Woods, nine, from Stratford Road, Chorley, is due to climb Mount Olympus before visiting the Olympic Village to present a flag to British athletes.

The youngster, a Highfield Primary School pupil, has been training for the trek for more than six months.