Speed skater and former Sky Scholar Elise Christie makes SPOTY shortlist
Thursday 30 November 2017 14:48, UK
Speed skater Elise Christie is one of 12 people shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017 award.
The 27-year-old former Sky Sports Scholar has been rewarded for a glittering 12 months on the ice.
She became the first European woman to win the 1000m, 1500m and overall gold at the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in March in the Netherlands.
After being crowned Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year in October, it has been the perfect build-up to next year's Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Christie tweeted: "WOW!! What an honour and a privilege to be shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017! Amazing year, amazing support - thank you!! #SPOTY #TeamEC"
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The other nominees are: Anthony Joshua (boxing), Lewis Hamilton (F1), Chris Froome (cycling), Mo Farah (athletics), Adam Peaty (swimming), Jonathan Rea (motorcycling), Anya Shrubsole (cricket), Harry Kane (football), Jonnie Peacock (paralympics), Johanna Konta (tennis) and Bianca Walkden (taekwondo).
The winner will be decided by a public vote on December 17.
Christie, born in Livingston, enjoyed three years of financial and developmental support as a Sky Sports Scholar and has overcome many injuries and doubts about her career, especially after the 2014 Sochi Games where she suffered disqualification and social media abuse.
"I thought about quitting a few times and I wanted to change sports and things like that," Christie said after being named Sportswoman of the Year in October.
"I was lucky enough to be backed by the Sky Scholarship program, and UK Sport and everyone on my national team really helped me to get through that, it was really rough. I can't believe I turned it all around."
After starting a new World Cup season with 500m gold in South Korea on November 18, Christie is continuing her preparations for the big stage again in Pyeongchang (February 9-25).
"Olympic champion? That's the goal and I definitely believe I can," she added.
"It would mean so much to me, especially after fighting back, and I'd love to do it for everyone else who has really supported me and helped me get to where I am."
