Page 50

ELISE CHRISTIE“I was seven when I started going to the local skating rink with friends. Soon afterwards I began figure skating and then I got involved with speed skating. I was going to quit both when I was 15 to focus on school because I wanted to become a forensic scientist, but after competing at the British Short Track Championships, I got a call from the national performance director inviting me to train with the national team. I still wasn’t sure what to do but my mum convinced me I’d regret it if I didn’t accept the invitation. It was just for fun in the beginning but once I realised I had potential I began taking it more seriously. Not everyone has the chance to represent their country and compete around the world. My mum was right, I would have regretted not pursuing it.”INSPIRATION“I train five-and-a-half days a week. I leave the house at 5.30 in the morning and get home at around seven or eight in the evening. A typical day involves two or three separate sessions, as well as meetings about nutrition, psychology and goal-setting.”TRAININGAGE: 26 NOC: GREAT BRITAIN DISCIPLINE: SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: 8x WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALLIST; 500M WORLD RECORD-HOLDER; 10 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDALS50 OLYMPIC REVIEW DESTINATION PYEONGCHANG