Curlers poised for Games bid
British curler Eve Muirhead says the media spotlight will not distract her from her medal-winning aspirations at the Winter Olympics.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 02/02/10 4:58pm
British curler Eve Muirhead insists being in the spotlight will not distract her from her medal-winning aspirations at the Winter Olympics in Canada.
The 19-year-old, who will be competing in her maiden Games in Vancouver, has acknowledged the media attention the event will receive but remains fully focused on reaching the final.
"To be honest, you've just got to put that behind you and forget what's going on at home and all the coverage," said Muirhead.
"To get to the final would be great. It just shows all the work we've done, all the preparation."
Great Britain clinched Olympic curling gold in 2002, and three-time world junior champion Muirhead was just 11 when she watched Rhona Martin fling her famous final stone down the ice in Salt Lake City.
"I remember sitting and watching that last stone from Rhona," added Muirhead.
"It was great that night and from then on the sport kind of grew through the media."
Competition
Meanwhile, men's counterpart David Murdoch, who led Great Britain to World Championship victory last year, is expecting strong competition from the hosts.
"Obviously, the Canadians are the overwhelming favourites. They're a proven nation of winning gold medals in curling," said Murdoch.
"There are a lot of teams out there who are going to be challenging for medals."
Murdoch will lead Ewan MacDonald, Peter Smith, Euan Byers and Graeme Connal in the British men's team, while Muirhead takes charge of Jackie Lockheart, Kelly Wood, Lorna Vevers and Karen Addison.
"I'm really excited. It's going to be a great opportunity to go and represent Great Britain and even skip the team," added Muirhead.
"Hopefully, we're going out there as the best-prepared team and I'm definitely hoping for a medal."