Elise Christie, a former star of Team GB’s Winter Olympics team and a three-time world champion in speed skating, has opened up about life after retiring from the sport at just 31. Known for her relentless pursuit of Olympic glory, Elise faced heartache as a medal consistently eluded her at successive games. Her journey took an unexpected turn post-retirement due to financial needs, leading her to join the adult content platform OnlyFans.
While she shares that her closest friends have been supportive of her decision, not all have stayed by her side. Some ties were severed after her controversial career move. Despite this, she’s managed to earn the same amount from her online endeavours as she did from winning a world championship, which is £5,000 for 700 subscribers—a necessity she didn’t foresee but acknowledges helped her through difficult times.
Elise candidly described the financial challenges faced by athletes, particularly in sports lacking heavy sponsorship. While skating was once her full-time role, it hasn’t provided a stable future post-competition. However, she emphasises that this isn’t her forever plan. Her heart remains in sport, and she hopes to return to it, stating, “This isn’t my long-term goal in life. I want to be involved in sport. But at the minute, it helps keep me afloat.”
She urges people to consider the broader picture of life after sports for athletes before judging their career choices. For Elise, it’s about staying financially stable and navigating a challenging period of her life.
Elise Christie’s journey is a reminder of the unpredictable turns life can take and the resilience required to face them head-on. People may criticise, but Elise remains firm in her belief that athletes like her deserve understanding in their search for stability beyond the rink.