Britain names three figure skaters for Beijing 2022

LONDON -- Three figure skaters have been selected to represent Britain at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) announced on Thursday.

Natasha McKay, 26, will compete in the women's singles, while Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are to compete in the ice dance. All three will be making their Olympic debuts in Beijing.

McKay, 26, was recently crowned British champion for the fifth time. Her 23rd place finish at the World Championships in Stockholm this March qualified a place for Britain at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

"It has always been a dream of mine and I am so excited that it is now becoming a reality," said McKay. "I will keep working as hard as I can and look forward to an enjoyable and successful event."

Fear and Gibson were paired together in 2016 and train at the Ice Dance Academy of Montreal. The duo finished seventh at this year's World Championships.

"I can't wait for the moment when we get to skate in Beijing with the Olympic Rings beneath our feet," said Gibson.

British figure skaters have collected 15 Olympic medals, including five golds, since 1908, but none since the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.