Kathryn Thomson hopes Elise Christie can guide the next generation of British speed skaters

Christie, who won more than 70 speed skating medals, retired in December

Kathryn Thomson in practice at the Winter Olympics (Getty)

Kathryn Thomson would welcome Elise Christie taking a coaching role and guiding the next generation of British short track speed skaters.

When Christie retired in December, she tweeted: “for now I’ll be focusing on helping the rest of the team and getting into coaching.”

As the Winter Olympics begin in Beijing without the 2017 world champion, former team-mate Thomson threw open the door for Christie to continue in the sport.

“The whole nation has watched Elise at many Games, she’s an incredible athlete,” said the 26-year-old from Kilmarnock, whose Olympic exploits will be broadcast live on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport app.

“For us, watching her be the best in the world and breaking barriers for our country has been very inspiring.

“Training in the same place as her has allowed us to believe we can do the same thing and she continues to be an inspiration in our sport.

“She often gave us bits of advice but just watching her from afar, watching how she does things, how she competes and races, that’s been quite important to see.

Elise Christie competes at the 2018 Winter Olympics (Getty)

“I’ve not heard (about her coaching) but she’d have a lot to offer as a coach.”

Thomson is the most experienced short track speed skater representing Team GB in China with Farrell Treacy also returning for a second Games.

To the rest of us, one 60-metre ice track seems very much similar to another but Thomson predicts pacy conditions on the Olympic rink, which she tried at last year’s Test Event.

“The ice can be very different at every single venue we go to,” she said. “It was very good to get a go on the ice in November and see what it feels like.

“It’s very fast - we’re going to have some quick races and we’ve been preparing for that. I think that tends to suit me, a fast race can stretch it out and that is where the opportunities are.”

As she did at PyeongChang 2018 Thomson is taking on a treble with the 500m, 1000m and 15000m, a full complement of Olympic events, starting with 500m on Monday.

“Having the fast and furious event out of the way will be quite good so I can focus on the longer ones,” she said. “With the distances building, hopefully the momentum can build at the same time.

“I don’t have a specific target. I’m excited for all three.”

Watch All the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 live on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport app