Ellia Smeding has been selected to by the British Olympic Association (BOA) to represent Team GB at the Winter Olympic Games.
She will become the first female long track speed skater to represent Team GB in 42 years. The 23-year-old set a series of new personal bests and national records throughout the World Cup qualifying process. Over the course of seven days in December Smeding set a new national record in each of the 500m, 1000m and 1500m.
Speaking after being selected as the 50th and final athlete set to travel to Beijing, Smeding said: “Being part of Team GB in Beijing is an absolute dream come true. This season has gone really well so far, and I’m hoping to put my best races down at the Games.
"I’m so excited to share this experience with Cornelius, and to have two long track speed skaters at the Olympic Winter Games will hopefully inspire a future generation of skaters.”
Smeding recorded two top-ten finishes at the European Speed Skating Championships, including an eight place in the 1000m. She will race in the 1000m and 1500m that will take place at the newly-built National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing.
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