By Karen Rollins

The Special Olympics World Winter Games begin in Nagano, Japan on Saturday.

Katie Day (left) and James Howells (centre) will represent GB at the Games

Up to 2,500 athletes are expected to take part in several events including alpine skiing, cross-country, figure skating, and snowboarding.

Great Britain will be represented by a team of 12 skiers and six coaches.

BBC Sport spoke to two of the British athletes hoping to strike gold before they travelled to Japan.

Katie Day became interested in sport eight years ago at the age of 11.

Since then, she has competed in several national and international swimming and athletics events.

Katie has never been to a Special Olympic Winter Games

Four years ago she began skiing and will now represent her country at her first World Winter Games.

Months of preparations have gone into getting Katie ready for Nagano including training with the British Olympic skiing team in Austria and several dry ski practice sessions with her trainer - dad Michael.

She has also won bronze at the Special Olympics GB National Games in Scotland and silver at a West Midlands skiing event in Birmingham in 2004.

It will be the first time Katie has visited Japan and understandably she is very excited.

"I think it's going to be good fun. I love competing and the atmosphere in Japan will be great," said Katie, who has just completed an NVQ Level II qualification in Nursery Nursing.

At just 19, Katie has several Games left in her and she says she aims to continue taking part in Special Olympics events for as long as possible.

Katie says she is proud to be representing Great Britain and hopes to win a medal but is eager to do her best in Nagano.

James Howells is only 17 but he has been competing at Special Olympics events for over eight years.

He has won more than 50 medals in a number of sports including gymnastics and running, covering various distances.

James has won several medals at skiing and hopes for more success

In Nagano, James will be taking part in the advanced slalom and downhill skiing categories and is expected to win a medal after his success at competitions in the West Midlands, Pembrey and Scotland.

Like Katie, James has worked hard for the Games in Japan, travelling to Austria and France to practice.

The Liverpool fan also skies every week at Pembrey's dry ski slope near to his home in Wales.

"I began skiing when I was nine and although I tried snowboarding I gave it up because I was better at skiing," he said.

"I really enjoy skiing as it's great fun and I get to have a laugh with my friends".

James, who would like to be a professional skier or footballer, has never been to a Winter Games before but hopes it will be an opportunity to meet new people and see new things.