Eley targeting Worlds medal after missing out in Vancouver

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat

HE may have missed out on an Olympic medal in Vancouver but short track speed skater Jon Eley is already dreaming of landing World Championship gold later this month.

MEDAL CHANCE: Great Britain's Jon Eley admits the upcoming World Championships are the perfect chance to make up for his Winter Olympic disappointment (Getty Images)

The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships takes place in Sofia between March 19 and 21 and with many of the world's best staying away following their exertions in Vancouver - Eley insists he's in pole position to win some silverware.

After reaching the 500m Olympic final in Turin four years ago, Eley stated nothing less than a medal would do in Vancouver - an outburst that came back to haunt the Brit in Vancouver last month.        

But after returning to home soil following his latest Winter Olympic experience - Eley admits his semi-final showing in Canada was far from a disgrace.

"I'm pleased with how I performed," said Eley. "I went there to try and win a medal but sixth place is a really decent result and it's a result that I can come away happy with - I also skated pretty well which is the main thing.

"The World Championships are coming up now and that should be good. I've raced on the track in Bulgaria a few times - I've won at World Cup level there.      

"There is some comedown after the Olympics but, with some of the other guys in the sport maybe not going or retiring, it's almost a soft medal.

"But it's also a great chance to win a World Championship medal and I want to make sure I go there on good form."

Despite Amy Williams being the solitary British medal winner in Vancouver - Eley insists the British short track speed skating team did themselves justice.

And the 25-year old is adamant the only way to improve is with more funding from UK Sport.

 "Once we'd finished, the whole team were pretty chuffed with our performances," added Eley. "The men's relay came sixth.

"Our young members of the team also put in some good performances with a 16th and 11th place which, considering they're first-time Olympians and teenagers, is a good performance within the team.

"I think we produced a performance which the funding gives us. We're looking for top eight results and that's what we got.

"We don't get funding to win medals but I think the main thing we can see from that is we need to be funded at a lower level so we can bring through athletes - that's the main part we're missing out on."

Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to Vancouver 2010.  Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012