Kimberley Murray’s hopes of becoming an Olympian have been dashed just 2 years before Beijing 2022 after being deselected from the British Skelton squad.
It was 5 years ago that Island Echo reported the news of Kimberley’s fundraising efforts as she entered the sport of Skeleton, switching from Long Jump due to injury. It was the start of a long 7-year plan to reach the world stage at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The now 31-year-old from Binstead initially competed in the Europe Cup before rising through the ranks to compete in the Intercontinental Cup, the World Cup and then her first World Championships – the final step before the Olympics.
Kim has been a competitive athlete throughout her career and secured Gold at Lake Placid at the start of 2020 and secured a Top 10 finish in both the European Championships and the World Cup in Sigulda back in February – an extremely positive start to the year.
However, in March, British Skeleton decided that the Islander simply ‘isn’t good enough’ to win a medal in 2022 and called time on her dream of competing at the Winter Olympics. It came after a placing of 23rd in her first World Championship event in Altenberg just weeks beforehand.
A disappointed Murray says she disagrees with Team GB’s view but has no grounds to argue after failing a push target. In the world of elite sport if you fail to hit a target the rules state you can simply be deselected.
Taking to social media, Kim has said:
“It’s been an incredibly tough 4 months; exacerbated by lockdown. A huge reality check, a lot of anger and a massive sense of loss. I miss my training partners, training and the wider team every day. I grieve for the loss of my dream; I hate being so powerless.
Article continues below this advertisement “I have quite literally been dropped from a team that was like family, and it’s been lonely. I’ve appreciated every bit of support offer to me; whether you’ve known my news or not.
“I am so grateful to be healthy and for the love and support of my family and friends who have provided a new place for me to belong (even though I alwya sbelonged with them)”.
Kim is now looking ahead at her transition out of the elite sport and promises to update her followers in due course.
Shame , but it’s tough at the top
One winter sport the GB is actually good at.