Team GB yesterday announced the latest athletes to its Beijing 2022 team as three short track speed skaters were confirmed for the Olympic Winter Games starting on 4th February 2022.
Kathryn Thomson will go to her second Games alongside Farrell Treacy who also raced in PyeongChang in 2018. They will be joined by Farrell’s younger brother Niall, who will make his Olympic debut in China.
Thomson will race in the women’s 500m, 1000m and 1500m and said of her selection that it was an “honour to be representing Team GB and I am looking forward to being part of such a strong team in Beijing.”
She added: “This Olympic cycle has had many challenges but knowing all the hard work from the past four years has paid off is an incredible feeling.”
She performed consistently across the recent World Cup series, finishing fifth in the B-Final of the Japanese World Cup and setting a new 500m personal best in the fourth World Cup in the Netherlands.
Farrell Treacy will be on the start line for the men’s 1000m and 1500m. He made the 1500m B-Final at the Hungary World Cup just four weeks ago. Farrell commented, “It’s always special to represent Great Britain but to be selected to represent my country at the Winter Olympic Games is a massive honour. An honour the second time around for me that feels just as good as the first.”
Niall ended the World Cup and Olympic qualifying series ranked 15th in the 1000m, a fourth-place finish at the Hungary World Cup was a highlight of the series. The 21-year-old will race in the men’s 1000m in Beijing.
Commenting on his selection, Niall, said: “Being told I was selected to represent Team GB at the Olympic Winter Games was like no other feeling I've experienced.
“It's something I've been dreaming of ever since I started speed skating 13 years ago. Back then I knew this is where I wanted to go and I'm just so proud and more importantly honoured that I’ve been selected.
“It's less than 50 days until the start of the Games and I'm going to give it absolutely everything in these last few weeks of training at home. I just can't wait to get on that starting line for my first Olympics.”
British Ice Skating Performance and Talent Manager, Jon Eley, said: “It’s always a proud moment for athletes to be selected for Team GB; they’ve performed well at recent World Cups and truly deserve their place on the team.
“We are really pleased for Niall to be making his Olympic debut. For Kathryn and Farrell, a second Games will be a chance for them to once again go out on a major stage, perform to their very best and inspire a new generation of skaters.”
Team GB Chef de Mission for Beijing 2022, Georgina Harland, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the short track skaters to the team. Kathryn and Farrell have had some strong performances recently and will be keen to build on their experiences in PyeongChang four years ago.
“It’s also great to welcome Niall on to the team for his Olympic debut. We’ve seen him develop through the ranks, most notably at the European Youth Olympic Winter Games in Erzurum and we’re excited to see him compete in Beijing.”
Kathryn Thomson – 500m / 1000m / 1500m
Farrell Treacy – 1000m / 1500m
Niall Treacy – 1000m