MODERN pentathlete Heather Fell was due to open the largest sports and exercise medicine conference ever seen in the south west yesterday (May 11).

The Olympic silver medallist was invited to St Mellion International Resort with 40 speakers, local, national and international experts from across the spectrum of sport and exercise medicine, surgery and sports science.

Among these are Robin Brew, Commonwealth medallist and coach, who trains Kelly College swimmers; Professor Mark Batt, President of the faculty of sport and exercise medicine and Dr Mike Stroud, Polar explorer and best-selling author.