A SOUTHEND Hospital doctor will represent her country after qualifying to compete at the next Winter Olympics.

Elsa Desmond will head to China next month after earning her spot to compete in the luge at the 2022 Winter Olmpics.

Luge is a sport where an athlete lies down on their back, with their feet first on a sled, sliding down at incredible speeds and using their calf muscles to steer.

Elsa is currently a foundation doctor at Southend Hospital after completing medical school at the Kings College in London.

The 24-year-old, who lives in Westcliff, is originally from Cavan in Ireland and is now the first person to qualify for the Winter Olympics representing Ireland in the sport of Luge.

She said it is an honour that will stay with her forever.

Elsa said: “Really, we were aiming for the 2026 Olympics in Italy, we tried for these Olympics thinking it was a long shot, so to qualify this time round is amazing.

“It is so exciting to know that I am making history, if you’re the best someone can come along and be better.

“But to be the first, that is something that can never be taken away from me and so it is such an honour.”

The Winter Olympics are being held in Beijing and are beginning on February 4 and ending on February 20.

Elsa was first interested in the sport as a child when she saw it on TV during the Winter Olympics, then as a teenager she decided to give it a go.

She will be travelling out to China with five other Irish athletes at the end of the month where she will compete on February 7 and 8.

As Elsa is currently working at Southend Hospital, she has always had to balance her medical career with her career in Luge.

But Southend Hospital have given her time off to complete in China, something she is very thankful for.

She added: “I am so grateful to Southend University Hospital for giving me the flexibility and time off work to allow me to continue my sports career.

Elsa will post updates of the events on her Twitter: @DrElsaDesmond and Instagram: @elsas_no_princess