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HEART OF GOLD

British speed skating star Elise Christie would risk Winter Olympic heartache again rather than settling for silver medal

Three-time world champion was disqualified in all three events in Sochi four years ago and is ready to push the limits again
 

Elise Christie crashes out in the semi final of the 1000m short track speed skating during the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

ELISE CHRISTIE would rather risk Olympic heartache again than settle for a silver medal.

Britain’s three-time world speed skating champion goes for gold on Tuesday morning, with the 500 metre quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all between 10am and 12.30pm.

 Speed skater Elise Christie will be gunning for gold in the 500m event at the Winter Olympics
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Speed skater Elise Christie will be gunning for gold in the 500m event at the Winter OlympicsCredit: Getty - Contributor
 The 27-year-old suffered heartache in Sochi four years ago when she was qualified from all three events
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The 27-year-old suffered heartache in Sochi four years ago when she was qualified from all three eventsCredit: PA:Press Association

And despite being disqualified three times in Sochi four years ago, Christie will not hold back and settle for second-best.

The Scot, 27, said: “The unpredictability of the sport is something I have definitely struggled with.

“Partly because of what happened in Sochi but also there were loads of World Championships where I missed out on the podium because someone took me out or I was team-skated out.

“One of the biggest things I developed last season was accepting failure.

 The British star is a three-time world champion after starring in Rotterdam in 2017
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The British star is a three-time world champion after starring in Rotterdam in 2017Credit: Getty Images - Getty
 Elise Christie is currently competing in her third Winter Olympic Games
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Elise Christie is currently competing in her third Winter Olympic GamesCredit: Alamy Live News

“I’d felt for so long I’d been almost hesitating for the winning position because I’d been securing medals.

“But I just decided that I was sick of being unhappy.


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“It was about having that outlook of ‘if I’m in second place with three laps to go and I don’t try and make the move that’s worse than doing it and failing’.”

Christie admitted her disaster in Sochi had played on her mind.

She added: “OK, I could have sat in third and picked up a bronze medal but would I have been happy with that?

“My life might have changed because I’m a bronze medallist at a Winter Games but it wouldn’t have changed my feelings on it. Winning a gold medal is definitely going to be my intention.

“If I get a penalty on the last lap passing into first place then sobeit.

“I’ve not trained this hard not to give myself that opportunity.

“But you’re going 35mph down a straight where you’ve got about a second-and-a-half to make a decision, so it’s not easy.”

South Korean figure skater Yura Min​ suffers a wardrobe malfunction​ ​at the 2018 winter Olympics

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