Muirhead fully focused on Eve of Games
EVE Muirhead is back for her third Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang and, if anything, a bronze medal four years ago in Sochi is only serving to increase her desire.
Team GB will grind it out relentlessly for the next two weeks, but having put in all the hours to achieve her goal of reaching the medals podium, Muirhead insists she can’t wait to get started.
“It’s relentless but I love it,” said Muirhead.
“When I made my Olympic debut in Vancouver it was an eye opener. I realised that I wasn’t working hard enough. I knew to make the podium I had to be more dedicated.
“I stepped everything up from that moment. My whole life revolves around my sport, everything else takes a back seat. That might make me a bit boring but I’m doing everything I can to get that gold medal. It’s a hard life being a full-time athlete. A lot of people don’t see the blood, sweat and tears.”
Three of the rink that competed in Sochi four years ago are back for more – Muirhead joined by Anna Sloan and Vicki Adams, while Lauren Gray steps up to replace Claire Hamilton, the experienced Kelly Schafer now taking her reserve role.
“I still don’t think there is another group of girls I’d rather spend time with,” said Muirhead. “We’re mates and team-mates. We’re very honest – girls are different to boys: they have a barney and within half an hour they’re best pals again. It takes us a bit longer.
“I think we’ve learned to read each other’s moods, we know what to say one when of us isn’t having a good day.”