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Britain’s short-track speed skating ambitions 2026 winter olympics Dramatically withdrawn, Niall Tracey has been confirmed as the only member of the team milan and cortina,
This is in stark contrast to previous Games, in which many medal contenders represented GB.
The slowdown is significant for a game that has long captivated British audiences with its wild, unpredictable nature, exemplified by Steven Bradbury’s 2002 Incredible Gold.
While at previous Games Alice Christie and three-time Olympic finalist John Ealy had raised national hopes, future aspirations now depend entirely on 25-year-old Tracey, who is returning for her second Games.
Britain’s short-track status declined after the Pyeongchang Games due to severe cuts to UK sport funding.
The game’s funding, which stood at more than £3.5 million for the 2018 cycle, was drastically reduced.
John Ely, head of performance at British ice skating, now oversees a combined skating budget of less than £2 million, mostly for figure and long-track.
Ally, a beneficiary of a former world-class program in Nottingham, told the Press Association: “It’s a far cry from those days of success and as we rebuild our programme, the game has gone to another level.
“The kind of opportunities and support I’ve had is way beyond what these guys have access to. They’re all effectively self-funded, and it’s a real testament to them that they’ve been working so hard in training. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and sticking with it.”
Nicky Gooch won GB’s last short-track medal in Lillehammer in 1994. Gooch, a casualty of the 2018 cuts, is now Hungary’s coach, whose relay team propelled GB into a Milan qualifying spot, ensuring that Tracey will be the only man to win.
“It is a huge honor to be selected for the Olympic Games,” Tracy said. “I feel incredibly proud to have the opportunity to return to the world’s biggest stage.
“I’m excited to test myself against the best in the world, build on the progress we’ve made this cycle, and strive for performances that reflect the work and commitment of everyone involved in this journey.”