Ellia Smeding has officially been announced as Team GB's first speed skater for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Following a historic debut at Beijing 2022, Smeding will head to her second Olympics in Italy after an incredible return from injury last season.
The speed skating will take place from 7-21 February at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.
Meet Team GB's short track speed skater.
DOB: 16/03/1998
Hometown: Aylesbury
Olympic record: Beijing 2022
British speed skater Ellia Smeding moved half the world away to regain her spark – and now hopes her fresh perspective can deliver when it matters at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Smeding swapped her training base in the Netherlands for Calgary in Canada to work under coach Bart Schouten, in the hopes that it would act as a fresh start from a season dogged by injury.
It has worked a treat for the Aylesbury-born skater, who returned to the World Cup circuit to seal her place at a second Olympics, having become Team GB’s first female skater in 40 years at Beijing 2022.
Now with a new pep in her step, Smeding is ready to put her year of change and rediscovery into action when it matters most in Milan.
“It has been a year of getting my energy back, my happiness back,” she said.
“It has been such a good experience being in the mountains, being in a new training environment, feeling like my body is doing what I want it to do again.
“You get this new appreciation for what you are doing and how privileged I am that I get to live this life and compete with the best in the world.
“That has given a new perspective and that has really helped with my performances.”
Change came after Smeding struggled with a hip injury, while partner Cornelius Kersten was also sidelined after a crash in training.
It has meant the pair have had to leave family in the Netherlands behind, including Smeding’s twin nieces, but the 27-year-old has no regrets about making the switch.
She added: “It has been amazing. It has been such a breath of fresh air.
“I’d never really considered myself someone who loves nature but just being able to drive an hour out of Calgary and you’re in the middle of the Rockies, being in the mountains gives a fresh perspective and it has been so fun exploring a new place.
“It was really needed. You do the same thing year in, year out and sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes looking at what you’re doing us.
“It really challenged certain beliefs and ways we had done things for so many years. I really liked to be challenged on my own beliefs, that’s how you grow as an athlete.
“Just being in a fresh environment, feeling new and fresh gives such positive energy and that is what you need to both recover from injury and put in the performances.”
New experiences are the theme of the season for Smeding, who is also ready to embrace some new experiences at the Games having debuted at the Covid-affected Beijing Games four years ago.
“This almost feels like my first Games just because so many experiences will be the first time. I am super excited to go through that and get back to competing,” she added.
“I just love a crowd, I love skating in a stadium full of people so I think that will be a real advantage. I can’t wait to actually have my friends and family there who missed out on the last experience.”
Sportsbeat 2025