Olympics-Rutherford's bobsleigh switch no publicity stunt, says pilot

FILE PHOTO: Athletics - Diamond League - Birmingham Grand Prix - Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2018 Britain's Greg Rutherford in action during men's long jump Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

(Reuters) - London Olympics long jump champion Greg Rutherford's switch to bobsleigh is not a publicity stunt and the 34-year-old is making rapid progress in his bid to compete at next year's Beijing Winter Games, British pilot Lamin Deen said.

Rutherford, who retired from long jump competition in 2018 due to injury, secured a place on Britain's bobsleigh squad last month as he looks to become the country's first athlete to medal at both a Summer and Winter Olympics.