Jon Eley

Jonathan "Jon" Paul Eley

http://www.teamgb.com/athletes/jonathan-eley

As a two-time Olympian, former European Champion and world record holder, Jon is the most experienced member of GB Short Track. The Solihull native began skating at just 18-months and soon developed a passion for ice hockey.

He was introduced to speed skating at the age of twelve by fellow GB Short Track skater Paul Stanley. His natural ability was soon apparent and just three years later Jon was a short track skater for Great Britain.

Since then Jon has gone on to compete at the highest levels of the sport, representing Team GB at both Turin in 2006 and Vancouver in 2010, where he finished 5th and 6th respectively in the 500-metres, as well as numerous World Cups, and European and World Championships.

During his career Jon has achieved multiple World Cup medals, including gold at Salt Lake City and silver in Shanghai both over 500-metres during the 2011/2012 season, and was also European Champion in the same distance in 2008.

Jon is married to GB Short Track National Development Coach Joanna Eley, who was herself a short track skater for Great Britain and two-time Olympian having competed in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Turin in 2006. They married shortly after Jon’s second Olympic Games in Vancouver, and Jon says Jo has been a great influence on his career.

Jon’s main hobby away from the rink is golf, he is a 10-handicapper, and people might also be familiar with his uncle who is the well-known BBC West Midlands Radio DJ Graham Torrington, famous for his show ‘Late Night Love’.

References and Sources

• http://www.gbshorttrack.org/index.php?p=1_7_Jon-Eley