Britain have been pressured to withdraw from the Worldwide Skating Union (ISU) World Quick Observe Velocity Skating Championships in The Netherlands attributable to United Kingdom residents being banned from getting into the host nation.
British Ice Skating have been attributable to ship a three-member staff of Elise Christie, Holly Hoyland and Niall Treacy to the World Championships, scheduled to happen from March 5 to 7 in Dordrecht.
The nationwide governing physique revealed that present journey restrictions put in place by the Dutch Authorities imply there isn’t a doable method for the athletes enter the nation, with elite sportsperson exemptions not being accepted.
“It’s been a really disappointing time during the last 12 months, the World Championships was our gentle on the finish of the tunnel,” Christie, a three-time world champion, stated.
“I used to be so excited, as have been the remainder of the staff, to lastly race.
“As that is one in all my final years within the sport I’m devastated.
“I’ve discovered my love for skating once more and was working actually onerous into this competitors.
“I’m gutted for my two younger teammates, they’ve labored so onerous and haven’t had the chance to kickstart their careers.
“We’re so grateful to everybody who labored so onerous to get us there and ready.
“We are able to solely stay up for the Olympic season now and what it will probably deliver us.
“We will probably be there able to struggle.”
Treacy, Britain’s flagbearer on the European Youth Olympic Winter Pageant in 2017, and Hoyland have been set to make their senior World Championship debuts.
The British staff had additionally been pressured to withdraw from the European Championships in January.
“As now we have executed all through this pandemic now we have tailored and explored each possibility to permit our elite skaters to compete at worldwide occasions,” stated Michelle Draper, British Ice Skating chief govt.
“Sadly, the journey limits put in place meant that this choice needed to be made.
“The willpower proven by athletes to maintain going all through lockdown has been inspiring so we stay up for after they can lastly compete.”
