Winter Olympics 2022 - Laura Deas on skeleton failure: ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver something better’

ByEurosport

Updated 12/02/2022 at 16:15 GMT

It has been a disappointing overall performance in skeleton for Team GB with the team not even in contention to win a medal in the men's or women's events. Team GB’s skeleton equipment has been criticised by slider Matt Weston and 2014 Winter Olympic bronze medallist John Jackson. Brogan Crowley says the equipment - and the team's overall performance - needs reviewing.

'I can't tell you why that is' - Deas 'so proud' despite speed issues in skeleton

Laura Deas says there “must be a reason” for Team GB’s underwhelming campaign in the skeleton at Beijing 2022, adding that she was sorry “she couldn’t deliver something better”.

Deas, a bronze medallist at PyeongChang 2018, finished 19th after the fourth heat as team-mate Brogan Crowley bowed out before the final run.

It capped a disappointing result overall for Britain with Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt finishing 15th and 16th in the men’s competition.

Beijing 2022

'I want to do what she did for me' - Crowley to use Ennis-Hill motivation to inspire others

14/02/2022 at 20:42

Britain had won a skeleton Olympic medal at every Games since 2002 and Britain's equipment has come under scrutiny.

When asked whether the equipment might be to blame, Deas told Eurosport: “There must be a reason. I don’t know what that is yet, we’re going to have to go away and look at it.

"We always do at the end of an Olympic cycle, we examine everything very closely and this won’t be any different."

She continued: "I’m very proud of how I slid today. I’ve worked extremely hard and it’s not just me but the whole team, we’ve worked so hard for four years to get here. I think while I’m extremely disappointed in the outcome, I think it’s right that I’m proud of how I slid, how I performed, how I pushed.

"Obviously the speed wasn’t there, yesterday or today, and standing here now I can’t tell you why that is. As athletes all we can do is go out there and do our absolute best and I’m pretty sure everyone at home understands how hard we work and we put our heart and soul into this and we it doesn’t go the way you desperately want it too it’s hard.

When asked to give a message into the camera, Deas added: "The Olympics is such a big ask for an athlete. Emotionally, physically, mentally. I’m going to take some time, recover from this and reflect on it a bit and see where I’m at."

'She can hold her head high' - Williams hails Deas despite missing out on podium

Crowley says "it's a real shame" that Britain will end the Winter Olympics without a medal in skeleton.

The 27-year-old former heptathlete managed a combined time of 3:09.37 on her three competitive runs down the track in the Yanqing National Sliding Centre to finish in 22nd place.

Crowley believes a review is required to work out why Team GB have underperformed in Beijing.

"Everything needs to be reviewed," she told Eurosport.

"It's a sport where there's so many different aspects to it. Of course we will go home and review because it's been a disappointing games for us. We've had quite high expectations and we're all capable of a lot better results than the outcome shows. It's real shame and we'll review everything.

"Laura has put down some incredible runs so that's what we can be proud of and that's what we will take away."

'It's been a disappointing Games, it's a real shame' - Crowley on GB performances in skeleton

Crowley has only been competing on the global circuit since 2019 was taking part in her first ever Games. She was visibly emotional when describing the support she had received from her family.

"It means the world to me," she added. "I couldn't have made it here without the support of all those guys It's more of a realisation of how far I've come in the last few years.

"A few years ago I didn't expect to even be here. I'm so happy and proud and I just can't thank anyone enough for the support at home because I wouldn't be here without them."

- - -

Watch every moment of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on discovery+

Beijing 2022