The recent European Youth Olympic Festival in Bakuriani, Georgia, was a spectacular display of young talent in both short track speed skating and figure skating. Athletes from across Europe came together to compete, showcasing their skills and determination on the ice.
These four young skaters, who can now proudly call themselves Team GB athletes, have demonstrated exceptional talent and promise, making them ones to watch in future competitions.
The European Youth Olympics is an excellent opportunity for young athletes to compete on a international stage and experience the atmosphere of an Olympic event. This exposure is invaluable for their development and growth as future elite athletes.
At this Youth Olympics, we saw some great results. Highlights include Albie Barlow winning the 1000m B final and finishing
6th overall in this distance. Albie's performance was marked by his explosive starts and consistent speed, which helped him secure a top position. Savi Buffey finished the 1000m event in 21st place, showing great determination and endurance throughout the race.
Figure skater Leilah was the first to take to the ice from our figure skating team. She performed a beautiful skate in the short program, showcasing her elegant spins and jumps, which placed her in 11th position. Leilah finished the competition in 12th place overall, maintaining her grace and composure in the free skate.
Edward was next to take to the ice in the short program. He delivered a strong skate with precise footwork and powerful jumps, placing him in 6th going into the free program. Edward fought hard during the free program, executing complex combinations and maintaining his focus, which allowed him to hold on to a top 10 finish.
Overall the festival was a record-breaking success for Team GB, securing three gold and two bronze medals, and Chef de mission Charlie Burn congratulated all the athletes on their performances:
“The whole team have done incredibly well at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival, and they should all be extremely proud of themselves as we’ve made Team GB history and there’s been a wide range of incredible performances – it’s proving to be a very exciting time for British winter sports.”
