Olympic rower tells conference of the power of sport

Imogen Grant said she started rowing after being tempted into the sport by free drinks at university

An Olympic gold medallist says she believes sport is a "miracle cure" that can "transform" people's lives and communities.

Junior doctor Imogen Grant, from Cambridge, who started her foundation year in August, made the comments at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

Grant, who won the women's lightweight double sculls with team mate Emily Craig in Paris, took up the sport while studying medicine at Trinity College, Cambridge.

She said: "We need to make sure that that miracle cure is available to as many people, adults and children across the nation."

Emily Craig (left) and Imogen Grant took home the gold medal at Paris in August

The 28-year-old told delegates: "Too many people are like me. They think sport isn't for them for one reason or another.

"For some it's the cost, the petrol to drive to practice.

"Maybe their nearest facilities are too far away. Maybe the facilities have been run down and there aren't enough volunteers to coach."

Ms Grant said that she saw unfit patients "every single day" working as a NHS doctor.

"Almost 40% of adults in this country don't meet the bare minimum standards for physical activity. Just 30 minutes of walking or equivalent, five times a week.

"If physical activity were a drug, it would be called a miracle cure for how effective it is and we need to make sure that that miracle cure is available to as many people, adults and children across the nation.

"So that's why sport transforms. It's good for our physical health, it's good for our mental health.

"It's why grassroots facilities are so vital to be a place where children and adults can go to do something other than stress or study or work."

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Ms Grant "absolutely sums up the spirit of our country".

She said the Conservative government had cut funding in arts, music, libraries, theatre and youth work but it "ends today".