Winter Olympics: After Injury, Elise Christie Eyes Return At Beijing Games

An ankle injury has put Elise Christie out of action at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The British skater on Tuesday (Feb 20) couldn’t complete the 1,000-metre short track speed skating because of pain due to the injury. She finished second after her fall on the first lap and was thus disqualified. Christie is now eyeing a return at the Beijing 2022 games.

The 27-year-old damaged her ankle during Saturday's 1500m semi-final

Following the crash on Saturday, Christie was carried off the track in an ambulance and sent to hospital. With this loss, her Olympic dream once again ended in heartache. It was her second Olympics that Christie couldn't make a mark in all three events.

"I'm a world champion. You're sitting at home on your keyboard. Stop trying to make people feel bad"@Elise_Christie responds to her critics.https://t.co/bJ5JnuW2gJ pic.twitter.com/eTkhOoE8P0

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) February 21, 2018

Christie had faced similar problems at the Sochi games in 2014.

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When asked if she is eyeing a return in the next season, she said, "I'm a bit shell-shocked. I worked so hard to get back from this injury. I promise Britain I will fight back from this and I will come back in Beijing and hopefully I can do Britain proud then,” BBC Sport reported.

💬 “It hurt and I can’t describe the amount of pain I was in. I was standing there and I was thinking “there’s no way I can skate”. But I thought of everyone back home, everyone watching, I just thought “I have to try”. @Elise_Christie #ShortTrackSkating pic.twitter.com/K4oewdh3MX

— ISU Speed Skating (@ISU_Speed) February 20, 2018

"I have so much belief in the programme and in myself. It wasn't through a lack of capability, it was just short track. What else can I say? Everyone has been a massive support - most of the people anyway,” - Elise Christie

A disappointed Christie told the media, "It's just frustrating having to wait four more years -- it just wasn't meant to be this time. I would just like to thank all the kids who have sent me messages saying they are inspired.”

"I'm a world champion. You're sitting at home on your keyboard. Stop trying to make people feel bad"@elise_christie responds to her critics after the disappointment of #PyeongChang2018 https://t.co/bJ5JnuErpb pic.twitter.com/WTjjwApXGF

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) February 20, 2018

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"They have no idea how much that means to me. The fact five, six, seven year-olds find me inspiring brings tears to my eyes."

Thank you everyone pic.twitter.com/mGFRojPfw1

— Elise christie (@Elise_Christie) February 21, 2018

.@Elise_Christie wants to thank her young fans 💜 #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/0gMwuDGYpq

— BBC Newsround (@BBCNewsround) February 20, 2018

Feature Image Credit: Edinburgh Evening News

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Read More Stories By Ria Das