British Olympian Elise Christie has retired from short track speed skating, admitting she "never reached" her ultimate goal.
Christie, 31, walks away as a multiple European and World champion, and in 2016 set a new world record over 500m which led to her being hailed as the 'fastest woman on ice.'
The peak of her career came in the 2017 World Championships in Rotterdam where she won titles in the 1000m and 1500m events, as well as the overall gold, the only British woman in history to do so.
However, despite her stellar achievements, Christie suffered heartbreak at both the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympic Games, failing to pick up a medal in agonising circumstances.
Having first competed at a Games in Vancouver in 2010, she arrived in Sochi four years later with high hopes of a podium finish in the 500m, 1000, and 1500m events, only to end up disqualified in all three disciplines.
I n 2018 in South Korea she was entered into the same races, and despite breaking two Olympic records en route to the 500m final, crashed out after her hand clipped the skate of another competitor. She then failed to make the final in either of her remaining distances.
Christie then vowed to try and make the 2022 Games in Beijing, but after an injury plagued season, missed out on selection with Team GB.
In a released statement on Tuesday, she said "This won't be the last you'll see of me in sport, but I'm taking a new venture down a different path.
"Part of my heart will always be missing because I never achieved my end goal. But I leave this sport knowing it's left in good hands, with skaters capable of doing what I didn't."
Christie, who has battled mental health issues and multiple injuries in her career, said that she "changed the sport in this country," and despite missing out on Olympic glory, amassed over 70 European and World Championship medals.
"I am not a decorated Olympian but I am a decorated athlete," said the Scot.
"I'm sorry I let you all down, and I'm so thankful to so many people - especially Uk Sport who stuck with me my entire career."
She refused to reveal her future plans, but hinted that she would be at the 2026 Games in some capacity.
"The Olympic medal dream isn't over," she said.
