JACK Thomas is hoping it will be a case of ‘like father, like son’ as he steps up his preparations for next year’s Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in South Korea in February.

The Westhoughton skeleton rider says his love of sport came from his dad, Steve Thomas, who is an athletics coach and helped guide Horwich RMI’s Graeme Ballard and Ola Abidogun to silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Steve coached Jack, now 27, in his formative years as a sprinter before he was accepted onto the Power2Podium programme and transferred to skeleton riding.

Thomas says his dad’s advice helped sustain him during a gruelling summer of training, and he is now raring to go, with the British trials in Norway at the end of this month the first step of the process that will hopefully lead to his Olympic bow.

“I’m obviously very excited about the prospect of competing at my first Olympic Games,” he said.

“It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a little boy.

“My dad is a Paralympic coach, so he has been through this process before.

“His advice to me was to enjoy the journey, but to leave no stone unturned and that is exactly what I’m going to do.”

Thomas has endured some tough moments over the summer at Team GB’s training base in Bath, tearing his adductor muscle and has had to manage tendon problems. But he is confident that all the hard work will be worth it.

“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t tough, but I’m heading into this Olympic season in incredible shape and cannot wait to get back out on the ice, first stop Norway on September 30,” he said.

Thomas must finish in the top three at the British trials to earn a place in the World Cup team – the top tier of the sport. He completed a first full World Cup season last year, with his best-placed finish of 15th coming in Altenberg, Germany. The former Horwich RMI Harrier also made his debut at the World Championships in February, finishing 16th after clocking the ninth fastest time in the final run.

Thomas added: “I do want to be pushing for the top 10 in all races this year, which I think is a realistic goal.”