Discipline: Long Track Speed Skating
Distances: 1000m & 1500m
Dates competing: 7th & 17th February
Age: 23
1st Olympics
Instagram: @elliasmeding
Twitter: @ellia_smeding
The last time a female long track skater represented Team GB was at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Ellia Smeding will end that 42 year wait when she stands on the start line in Beijing.
Her World Cup qualifying was littered with personal best performances, smashing British records throughout. Over the course of 7 days in December she set new national records in each of the 500m, 1000m and 1500m.
Her 8th place finish in the European Championships was the perfect warm-up for the Games.
Alongside her skating she runs a coffee business with Cornelius Kersten, a fellow Team GB long track skater.
When is Ellia racing?
Monday 7th Feb
08:30 - 09:50 - Women’s 1500m
Thursday 17th Feb
08:30 - 09:42 - Women’s 1000m