CHARLOTTE Gilmartin expressed her delight after being selected for Great Britain’s squad going to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The former Arrow Valley school student, 23, will be part of a five-strong group of speed skaters set for Russia.

Girlmartin, who races in the 1,500 and 1,000 metre disciplines, narrowly missed out on selection for the 2010 games in Vancouver.

She said: “I’m ecstatic to have been selected for my first Olympic Winter Games.

“I’ve been told that only just over 600 people have ever been chosen to compete for Team GB at a Winter Olympics, so to be part of such a small number is something really special. It’s been eight years of relentless hard work to reach this point, and it’s so exciting to think about stepping out onto the ice at Sochi and being on the world’s biggest sporting stage.”

Gilmartin earned a spot in the squad after solid displays at World Cup events in Turin and Kolomna.