Charlotte Gilmartin

http://www.teamgb.com/athletes/charlotte-gilmartin

Charlotte Gilmartin first took up short track skating after her potential was noticed at an ice skating party in her youth. She was one of the youngest skaters to be selected for the national team and began competing for Great Britain at a junior level aged just fifteen.

Up until 2010, a series of injuries had meant Charlotte had to be more tactical in competition in order to succeed because she lacked the speed of stronger skaters. Having been injury free for the past two years, Charlotte has become a stronger and more confident skater, which combined with her tactical abilities, has enabled her to improve her international rankings year on year since.

During the ISU World Cup series last season Charlotte demonstrated she was a contender for Sochi by reaching a number of semi-finals and finals in multiple distances, with 6th place being her highest ranking. Further to this, she secured her first individual senior medal at the 2013 European Championships in Malmo with bronze in the 500-metres, alongside teammate Elise Christie who won gold.

Last season she also established herself as one of Britain’s best short track skaters when she broke British records in both the 500 and 1500-metres that were previously held by Elise Christie.

Charlotte loves to take part in any sport, particularly football and squash during the off-season, and was part of the Ambitions Programme at London 2012. She was able to watch the diving, fencing and track cycling events with Prince Harry, witnessing Team GB win gold with several new world records. This experience was a real motivator and eye opener to what the Olympics entails and after experiencing the great atmosphere as a spectator she can't wait to do it as an athlete.