10 British medal hopefuls for Sochi 2014: John Jackson

Bobsleigh

Born: 11/04/77

Career highlights

Jackson, lead pilot for the four-man bobsleigh claimed a fifth-place finish at the 2013 World Championships, ending just 0.07 seconds adrift of a medal.

His four-man crew also secured the first World Cup medal by a British men's team since 1997 when they claimed silver at Lake Placid in December 2013.

The same team of Jackson, Bruce Tasker, Stuart Benson and Joel Fearon also claimed Britain's first European Championship medal for 20 years by securing silver at the event in Konigssee, Germany in January.

Career lowlights

Jackson suffered a spectacular crash in the two-man bob at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and he and Dan Money were disqualified.

He vowed not to repeat the error in the four-man event but their sled toppled onto one side during their second run. They recovered to end 17th.

The 36-year-old tore his Achilles tendon in training in July 2013, threatening his hopes of competing in Sochi.

The injury can often require 12 months of rehabilitation but, thanks to pioneering surgery, the Royal Marines sergeant astounded medical experts by returning to light running in 12 weeks - a moment that left him in tears.

Did you know?

Jackson is the partner of fellow Great Britain pilot Paula Walker.

He was inspired to take up the sport by Britain's bronze in the four-man bob in 1998: "One member of the team [Dean Ward] was in the Army, so I thought I should have a go. I kept putting it off but I finally got round to trying it in 2005."