Kristen Spours admitted she could finally relax after making her Olympic figure skating debut.
The 25-year-old two-time British champion has appeared at three World Championships but never on the biggest stage, and she relished every moment of her skate in the team competition.
While her score was slightly down on her season’s best, she insists it was the perfect preparation for her main event later in the Games.
“I can finally call myself an Olympian. It’s such a super-cool moment for me,” she said.
“I never really believed I’d make it until I stepped out on the ice. Even yesterday I was just stressing that I’d injure my back or something.
“I feel like I can take a breath for the first time in a long time. I spent six months off the ice, I semi-retired, but the Olympics gave me the licence for one last try.
“My Olympic journey is no longer defined by medals but by resilience, and that shift in perspective has changed how I see everything. I actually think it’s been a really positive thing for me.
“For the first time in my career, I feel like I’m doing this for myself, without the weight of expectation or pressure.
“I’m still competitive and I still want to be the best I can be, but this is my journey. I lived through the tough moments, I sat in the dark times, I went through surgery and, with the support of others, I pulled myself back.”
Last September, the British figure skater announced she would be taking an indefinite hiatus from competitive figure skating to prioritise her mental and physical health, following a spinal injury that required surgery, but she returned the following month.
She edged out team-mate Nina Povey in a close-fought selection battle for Milan, with a 23rd-place finish at the recent European Championships in Sheffield.
Spours plans to enjoy two more days in the Olympic city, marching with the British team in the opening ceremony at the San Siro, before heading home for a few days outside the Games bubble.
The British figure skater was watched by friends and family in Milan, with her mum making the trip while her father cheered on from home.
“I think I’ll be much more settled for my individual event. I’m actually going home now to see my husband and my cats because I’ve got a lot of days between competitions,” added Spours.
“I understand the craziness of the Olympics and I know the things I need to work on for next time.”
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Featured image credit: British Olympics Association
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