SPORTS-mad teenager Kirsty White and teacher Lorna Wyard have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the World Indoor Athletics Championships this weekend.

But they won't be competing in the events.

After winning a local radio competition, 13-year-old Kirsty from Salters Close, Blackpole, Worcester, will be presenting a medal to a star athlete, at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena, on Saturday.

Kirsty - who is currently Worcester's running champion, after running 200 metres in 27.4 seconds - hopes to meet her idol, US athlete Marion Jones.

The Nunnery Wood High School, Worcester, pupil hopes to follow in Marion's footsteps and become a British star in the future, after being a member of Worcester Athletics Club for two years.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said Kirsty.

VIP treatment

"We'll get VIP treatment when we go, and my mum is pleased because she says being there will help me improve."

Kirsty trains three times a week at Nunnery Wood Sports Complex on Spetchley Road. Elgar Technology College PE teacher Lorna Wyard from Vine Street, Northwick, will be working at the event after she successfully applied for a position as one of the stewards.

"I will be part of the 600-strong team working in the background," said Lorna. "A lot of it will be security-based work."

She says athletics is her passion, particularly the sprinting events, and she is looking forward to seeing Colin Jackson.

"It will be his last event so that will be nostalgic," said Lorna.

She added that her family was thrilled because they are all big sports fans and she was now looking forward to cheering on Midlands-based athletes Daniel Caines, Ashia Hanson and Mark Lewis Francis.