Eley remains Great Britain's sole medal hope in Vancouver

Short Track Speed Skating Vancouver 2010 Post a comment

Posted: Thursday 25th February 2010 | 20:28

From Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat, in Vancouver

JON Eley admits has it all to do to claim only Britain's second medal at the Winter Olympics but believes he can overcome all odds to climb the podium.

NO ADDED PRESSURE: Jon Eley insists he does not feel the extra burden of being Great Britain's final realistic medal hope in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The 25-year-old is our last remaining medal hope following a dismal past two days in Vancouver which has seen bobsleigh pilot Nicola Minichiello and curling skip David Murdoch both fail to deliver.

However Eley will be up against it in the short track speed skating quarter-finals at the Pacific Coliseum after being drawn in lane four and against seven-time Olympic medallist Apolo Anton Ohno of the USA.

Eley was handed such a draw after labouring through the heats 12th fastest on Wednesday evening with a time of 42.081seconds following a poor start off the line.

But with Friday's quarter-final representing an opportunity for him to wipe the slate clean and start afresh, Eley is adamant he won't disappoint.

"It felt like things were going slow in the heats which is always a good sign for me and gives me the chance to think about what I can do next time," said Eley.

"Having such a bad start in the heats and not having the greatest time makes the competition even harder now but I still am confident.

"I don't think there is any pressure on me because I am one of the last Brits in with a shout of a medal.

"Regardless of what has happened to everyone else I said all along I was coming to Vancouver to win a medal and whether it is for Team GB or myself doesn't matter."

Eley has been a man on a mission since finishing fifth last time out in Turin but where he rode his luck in 2006 he now believes he is worthy of a place in the world's top three.

"Having had the experience of four years ago is undoubtedly going to help," he added. "I have learnt from last time and proved that I am one of the best. Now I need a medal to show for it."