Speed skating-Christie races again after swapping skates for scooter

LONDON : Elise Christie delivered pizzas to earn a crust when her Olympic dreams faded but now the Scot is ready to race again after replacing her speed skates with an electric scooter.

The three-times Olympian, triple world champion in 2017, hopes to return to the rink for the 2026 Games after missing Beijing but the new eSkootr series debuting in London on Saturday is home for now.

Christie, 31, has endured years of trauma and physical and emotional pain, including self-harming, chronicled in a powerful autobiography "Resilience" in which she also speaks of being raped as a 19-year-old.

"eSC (eSkootr) picked me up at the worst point. I broke my ankle and thought it wasn’t worth going to the Olympics...I wasn’t going to be good enough so I chose to stop," she told Reuters.

"And then it was hard for me. So eSC came along, it was like a breath of fresh air...it’s such a good thing to be a part of, it’s like a family, we’re all really close.

"We’re trying to change the world and show that racing doesn't need to be damaging to the environment. I think people will love it."

Christie spoke after addressing children in a South London primary school playground along with former BMX rider Trey Whyte.

DIVERSE SPORTS

The series, drawing male and female athletes from backgrounds as diverse as cycling, hockey, snowboarding and motorbike racing, aims to promote micromobility and sustainability.

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has a team, as does Formula One racer and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Nico Hulkenberg, although neither are racing the 100kph machines.

Christie was soon converted.

"I got so used to being in an Olympic sport...but it wasn’t a nice world. This is such a nice thing to be a part of and it’s going to be a