Jamie Rankin can tap into the experience of mother Janice before Lausanne 2020 ©WCF

Olympic curling champion Janice Rankin will watch her son Jamie follow in her footsteps when he competes for Britain at Lausanne 2020.

Janice won gold at Salt Lake City 2002 after a dramatic final stone from skip Rhona Martin steered the British team to a 4-3 win over Switzerland.

Seventeen-year-old Jamie is now set to contest his first overseas event at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which begin in Lausanne on January 9.

"Sometimes, I will ask Mum about the Olympics if I want to know more about her experience," said Jamie in an interview with the World Curling Federation.

"Often it is prompted by an Olympic story in the news or on TV and I ask if it was the same for her.

"It is more of a topic at home now and Mum has been reminding me what an achievement it is to be selected. 

"She will share information whilst we are doing things in the house and her advice is always to enjoy the moment. 

"Also, to make new friends within Team GB and other teams and to be a good ambassador for Great Britain and to represent myself well.

"She has also told me that I should try to avoid having any regrets or wishing I had visited somewhere or spoken to another athlete whilst I am there – just to take in the whole experience."

Janice Rankin won Olympic gold at Salt Lake City 2002 ©Getty Images
Janice Rankin won Olympic gold at Salt Lake City 2002 ©Getty Images

Curling at Lausanne 2020 will take place in Champéry, which is around 60 kilometres from Lausanne, with mixed team and mixed doubles competitions being contested. 

“I think it is a fantastic event and a great introduction to the Games environment for younger athletes," said Janice. 

"Watching the Olympics on TV gives you a taste of the event, but for young athletes to get an experience of the Olympics, it helps to spur them on and motivate them as they chase their dreams. 

"It is a great platform and really helps to prepare athletes for the future.

"Watching Jamie go through the same procedures we did, travelling down to London to Team GB for a kitting out day and getting lots of information about different aspects of the Games, as well as the training days, it is all very similar to what we went through."

More than 1,800 athletes from more than 70 countries will take part at Lausanne 2020 until January 22.

As well as the Olympic capital, various venues are being utilised across Switzerland and France. 

Athletes must be aged between 15 and 18 on December 31, 2020 to be eligible.