Eley eyeing further medals as he returns to European stage

By Sportsbeat staff

JON Eley insists there is absolutely nothing stopping him from medalling at the European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in the Czech Republic as he bids to add to his career continental haul.

MEDAL HOPEFUL: Jon Eley is targeting more honours at the European Championships in the Czech Republic

The 27-year-old returns to the European stage in Mlada Boleslav for the first time since winning 500m silver in Dresden a matter of weeks before the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.

Eley was forced to sit out the continental showdown 12 months ago with a knee injury but has been in inspired form so far this season winning individual 500m World Cup gold and silver.

The two-time Winter Olympian has an impressive European record having not only won 500m silver in 2010 but also gold over the same distance two years beforehand in Latvia.

And Eley, who will lead a seven­-strong British team in the Czech Republic, is adamant a return to the top step of the podium is a more than realistic aim.

"We have had a really intense period of training but I am starting to feel fresh now and ready to race again," said Eley - who will also stand a good chance of medalling with Britain in the 5000m relay.

"Last year I didn't get to skate at Europeans because I was injured so I am excited to get out there and see what I can do.

"I am going into the championships with some good results and a couple of medals under my belt so I am full of confidence.

"And I don't see any reason why I can't come away with a medal, and maybe even the championship title."

Of the seven-strong team Britain's other individual medal hope will come in the form of Elise Christie, who has won two 1000m World Cup silvers this season.

Christie took silver over 1500m in the same year Eley collected the same colour in the 500m in 2010 and she too is adamant more medals can be garnered in the Czech Republic.

"The World Cup medals have given me a lot of confidence, just knowing that I can perform at that level is great to have in the back of my mind when I'm out there," said Christie.

"Training has been going really well, we've been working hard and I'm ready to go into the Europeans stronger and ready to skate some fast races. I need to go out there and be the proactive skater, boss the race a little, and use my tactics well.

"My goal is definitely a top-three podium position, but I'm not putting the pressure on myself and I'm also looking at it as part of the preparation for the World Championships in March."

© Sportsbeat 2012