By Steve Cram Former 1500m athletics champion

The ex-world champion and Olympic silver medallist, part of the BBC team in Turin, on why he loves the Winter Olympics.

The Winter Olympics are a completely different environment to summer sport and one thing I really like is the eclectic mix of the different disciplines.

There is great unpredictability and drama and I love the fast-paced events.

Ice dancing leaves me a little bit cold, pardon the pun, as I am a bit more of a speed merchant.

I'm really looking forward to the snowboard cross involving Briton Zoe Gillings which sees boarders racing against each other on a course with bumps and twists.

Bradbury earned a shock success in 2002

It is very difficult to predict winners in the Winter Olympics whereas in summer sports you have a pretty good idea who is going to win what.

But that is the big draw of the Winter Games for me because you are not quite sure what is going to happen.

A great example of that was in Salt Lake City when Australian short-track speed-skater Steven Bradbury won gold from last position on the final turn in the 1,000m when the three competitors in front of him were involved in a pile-up.

My abiding Winter Olympics memory was watching Franz Klammer win the downhill at the 1976 Games in Innsbruck.

I was about 15 at the time and they were the first Games which really caught my attention.

Soon after I was lucky enough to go to Austria on holiday and the country was still buzzing from his success.

I first skied myself five years ago in Kitzbuehel and was immediately hooked.

I probably ski a bit too fast for my level but I get down the mountain and thoroughly enjoy myself.

Ski jumpers are a brave bunch

I'd love to have a go in a bobsleigh and at a push, would probably try the skeleton and luge too.

Although I must admit that a couple of times I've been sledging with my children and when I've gone a bit faster than I should have, I've scared the living daylights out of myself!

One event I couldn't see myself attempting is ski jumping.

Having panicked for the fleeting moments my skis occasionally leave the ground when I'm skiing, I know I could not launch myself off a ski jump.

Animated guide: Ski jumping

I've stood at the top of a ski jump and I think the people who take part in this sport have tremendous courage.

I was fortunate to go to Finland to film a cross-country skiing feature for Grandstand's Road to Turin and I am full of admiration for those athletes because it is a tough sport.

Being an endurance athlete myself, I can see how dedicated they are.

I think in this country because we don't really follow this event we don't realise how big it is and it has a huge following.

I went to watch a city centre event and 200,000 people turned out to watch - it was incredible.

These days the Winter Olympics appeal to a much wider audience with youngsters who like watching the snowboarding to those who like the artistry of ice dance.

My role at the 2006 Games will primarily be to present the curling coverage and we will be hoping the British men's and women's teams perform well.

It is going to be great to be in Turin, savouring the atmosphere and being able to speak to competitors as well.

I can't wait for it to begin.