Basketball player Rachael Jarvis already knows a thing or two about winning medals.

The 31-year-old picked up gold when she captained East Midlands ladies' team at the Special Olympics in Glasgow four years ago.

She has also played for England, in the World Games in Shanghai in 2007, and was unlucky to miss out on a medal after losing to Serbia in the battle for bronze.

However, nothing would mean more to Rachael than winning in front of her family and friends in her home city.

In 24 days time, she will be representing the East Midlands again when the Special Olympics comes to Leicester for the second time in its 31-year history.

Rachael, from Groby, has been training hard to make sure she is at her best when she takes to the court at De Montfort University's John Sandford Sports Centre – home of Leicester Riders, Britain's oldest professional basketball club.

She has been training at Guthlaxton College, Wigston, where she practices shooting hoops before walking sessions to keep her fitness up.

"The training is going very well," said Rachael. "I am playing every Monday night and we have a game before the Special Olympics.

"I'm really looking forward to it. Playing as a team is the best bit."

As a Special Olympics ambassador, Rachael, who has learning difficulties, is also busy promoting the games, attending fund-raising shows and raising awareness at community events.

Last week, she met Sir Steve Redgrave, who gave his backing to the Special Olympics on a visit to the county and was today travelling to London to meet sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

Rachael said: "We met Steve Redgrave, which was brilliant. I am going to lots of events and doing lots of interviews. I like getting to meet lots of different people."

About 2,700 athletes are expected to participate in the games, with about 1,000 coaches, 1,500 volunteers and 6,000 family members in attendance.

Rachael's mum, Heather, will be supporting her daughter at the opening ceremony on July 25.

She is also acting as a mentor for the ladies' basketball team and will be staying with the players at the Games Village, to be set up around the Walkers Stadium in the week leading up to the ceremony.

Heather said: "Rachael is doing a lot to promote the Special Olympics.

"She has had a great year doing different roadshows and events to raise awareness about special needs.

"The Special Olympics is a chance for her to excel at something. There's no pressure on the athletes, but she really wants to win.

"I'm really proud of her – she's my hero."