Dundee-based figure skater Matthew Parr made Olympic history when he became the first-ever skater to compete in the Olympic team competition, which made its debut in Sochi.
In completing his short programme in a lifetime’s best score on Thursday evening, Parr also became the first British individual male skater in Olympic competition since 1998.
Parr, who relocated with his Team GB partner Jenna McCorkell to be coached by Simon and Debi Briggs at Dundee Ice Arena, was delighted at the honour of launching a new event restricted to the top 10 nations in the skating world.
“It’s quite cool and a thing to look back on to say you were the first skater ever in the team at the Olympics,” he said. “It’s good to have that to my name.
“But I guess I’m more proud of representing Great Britain at an Olympic Games. That’s something I’ve been aiming for as long as I can remember.
“It’s pretty special, absolutely, and I’m very proud. Representing Great Britain at any event is good, but you can multiply that a million times for the Olympic Games.”
Ten nations compete in the new team event, with the men and pairs going on Thursday.
Jenna McCorkell and ice dancers Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland will complete the first phase of the competition on Saturday.
The five teams with the best combined scores then get the chance to perform their free skate to decide the medals.
Later last night, however, British pairs couple Stacey Kemp and David King could only finish 10th and last with their short programme.
With Parr placing ninth, Britain finished in bottom place of the 10 teams after two of the four events. This means Parr may gain the unenviable distinction of being put out of the Olympics before they officially begin!
“There’s no doubt that I’d like to skate again but, either way, I’m proud of my performance today,” he said.
“It was an absolute privilege and an honour to represent my country out there and certainly I will only have fond memories of my time here.”