Kristen Spours journey to Olympic ice has not been easy - but now she can finally relax.
The 25-year-old figure skater only got back on the ice in early November after taking time out the sport due to a mental health-related absence, with spinal surgery contributing to an already stressful period.
She marked her comeback by becoming national champion for the second time, the skater – who took up the sport after being obsessed by Dancing On Ice as a youngster – just determined to make her family proud.
And although her short program score was just down on her personal best from the European Championships in Sheffield and didn't progress her to the free skate, it was still very much mission accomplished in Milan.
"I feel really good and I feel happy with what I did," she said.
"I'm a little bit disappointed with one mistake because that is usually something that I can do in my sleep but it happens."
Spours made her Olympic debut in the team event before the Games officially got under way - and dashed home to spend time practicing away from the glare of the Games.
"I was more nervous than I was coming into the team event, so I'm happy with how this went," she added.
"Going home was a really positive reset. It was the right decision tand it was also really nice to see that my world hasn't changed just because I've gone to the Olympics.
"My normal life was still there and it was such a positive thing. I've been able to treat my two skates like two different championships and that's been a really good thing."
Sportsbeat 2026