Dunfermline fencer Nicole Pickering received the support of Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell following her selection for the UK School Games.

The 16-year-old will fence against the UK?s teenage elite in the women's sabre event, which gets underway at the University of Wales in Cardiff on September 3.

"I congratulate Nicole for her determination in achieving a place at the UK School Games, which will no doubt be the most important performance of her sporting career so far," said Campbell, who was part of the GB quartet that won relay-sprint gold in 2004.

"Reaching the UK School Games is the closest a young person can get to competing at the Olympics. Competitors will experience their own opening ceremony, closing ceremony and athletes' village in South Wales. I'll be there watching Nicole and her fellow athletes be the best that they can be."

Pickering is a student at the Mary Erskine School and trains twice a week at West Fife Fencing Club to keep her skills at a nationally competitive level.

"It feels great to have been selected as I have just missed out a few years running. I am excited to be going and just hope that my fencing is at its best now that I have finally made it," Pickering said.

"I think the athletes' village will be great fun and am looking forward to making friends.

"It's exciting to know an Olympian is watching although it is also scary because Darren Campbell is such a great athlete."