A talented Ayrshire figure skater will realise a lifelong ambition when he represents Great Britain at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Former Prestwick Academy pupil, Lewis Gibson, only took up figure skating after becoming hooked on it watching ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
Fast forward a few years and Lewis, 27, along with his ice partner, US-born Lilah Fear, 22, are now preparing to head to China in February as part of the Team GB contingent.
Lewis, who first started skating at Ayr Ice Rink, said: “To feel like years and years of hard work and dedication have paid off is truly one of the most satisfying things.
“I can’t wait for the moment when we get to skate in Beijing with the Olympic Rings beneath our feet.
“Getting to the Olympics is such a huge achievement and we go into every competition just wanting to grow and always better all of our performances, master what we do each season as well and then just see where that has us.
“But even when you feel it’s getting closer to becoming a reality, you still don’t let yourself believe it.”
Lewis and Lilah were paired together in 2016, entering their first international competition that season.
They have since gone on to win two Grand Prix bronze medals and finished the 2021 World Championships in seventh place.
They are currently two of three figure skaters to be named in the GB team, the other being Dundee’s five-times British champion Natasha McKay, who will contest the singles event.
Lewis and Lilah will head to China in fine fettle — after the pair won the national title in ice dance last month at the 2021 British National Figure Skating Championships.
The duo came out on top in both the rhythm dance and free dance, earning them a total score of 200.84.
Now comparisons are being made between the talented duo and the great Torvill and Dean, who swept to Gold during the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
Team GB Chef de Mission, Georgina Harland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lilah, Lewis and Natasha to the team.
“Lilah and Lewis were part of our 2018 Ambition Programme for the PyeongChang Games, whilst Natasha competed for Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival back in 2011, so I am thrilled to see all three coming through and making their Olympic debuts in Beijing.”
British Ice Skating Performance and Talent Manager, Jon Eley, added: “This is the reward for the years of hard work and dedication that Natasha, Lilah and Lewis have put into the sport.
“I can’t wait to see their exciting performances that are sure to inspire future generations of skaters.”
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