The 55-year-old, Britain's last individual Winter Games gold medallist before Vancouver 2010 and a European and three-time world free skating champion, served in a similar voluntary role in the lead up to London 2012, working with the synchronised swimming team and their coaches ahead of the home Summer Olympics.

He will now work with the nation's medal hopes in the lead up to next year's Games to share his knowledge and support their preparations as they begin their journey to Russia.

"I am thrilled to join Amy Williams as a Team GB 2014 ambassador for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games," Cousins, who is also a World Championship silver medallist, said.

"After the success of the London 2012 ambassador programme and my personal involvement in that, I know we can support the athletes and help them be as prepared as possible to give performances they will be proud of in Sochi.

"We will field one of our strongest teams in the Sochi and the Team GB athletes deserve all the support they can get.

"There was an overwhelming Olympic Spirit that spurred the athletes into action in London and we'll make sure our Olympic Winter athletes get some of the same in Russia."


Cousins will also work with the British Olympic Association (BOA) to help raise the profile of the team through his media work and fundraising events.

"I am delighted that Robin will once again be supporting Team GB as an official Team GB 2014 ambassador," Team GB Chef de Mission Mike Hay said.

"As a former Olympic and European champion, Robin will be a huge source of inspiration to our athletes and support staff in Sochi.

"Robin is incredibly passionate about winter sport and the Olympics and he will play an integral role as an ambassador on the journey in the lead up to, and during, the 2014 Games.

"He will be hands on and engage with Team GB supporters and athletes as well as their nearest and dearest."

As exclusively reported by insidethegames in February, Hay has an ambition of winning three medals at Sochi 2014, which would make it the most successful British performance at a Winter Games since Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936, second only to the four medals gained at Chamonix 1924.

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