Speed skating star Armstrong looking to follow in family footsteps

Speed skating is a family affair for Reigate's Joseph Armstrong. His uncle is Jon Eley, a three-time Olympian and Team GB flag bearer at Sochi 2014, his aunt is two-time Olympian Jo Williams and his cousin is Youth Olympic bronze medallist Olivia Weedon. Ad With plenty of experience to feed upon from his family and growing knowledge of the global stage, there is no doubt that the 16-year-old feels he can gain an advantage over his rivals.

Speed SkatingPark claims second World Championships gold on home soil12/03/2023 AT 13:16 «It's very inspiring and it makes everything feel very achievable — it's something to work towards,» said Armstrong, who is being supported by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) through SportsAid this year. «I feel like a lot of people see the Olympics and these Olympic athletes as almost separate entities, doing something that's completely impossible, where for me it's a feasible goal that I can work towards. »My cousin also went to many of the competitions that I'm now going to, so she's been quite an inspiration.

I can talk to her and she can guide me and tell me what worked for her and didn't work for her. «I've got a lot of people that I can rely on for advice that have already been in the same positions that I'm in. »In January I went to the European Youth Olympics.

I didn't do exceedingly well but I'm very happy to have been there, it's an amazing experience — my cousin has been there before as well. I'm making the same steps that they all made in their progression and hopefully it's a signal for more to come. «I've really never been involved in any other sports so going to something like that was really interesting and to see other people, how different competitions work, and interact with different