Yarnold already has sights on next Olympics

The 25-year-old cannot believe her imperious campaign ran so smoothly, smashing the course record twice en route to glory.

Yarnold only switched from heptathlon to skeleton aged 19, and there had been suggestions she may look to try a new challenge after Sochi, but now she has dispelled any notion of starting from scratch in yet another event.

“I absolutely love skeleton. I didn’t find it until I was 19,” said Yarnold, on her return from Russia to Heathrow Airport.

“I just love skeleton, so that’s my future.”

The Sevenoaks-born athlete admitted acting as Britain’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony was more nerve-wracking than hurtling towards gold.

“Bearing the flag was the most frightening experience of the last two weeks,” she said.

“I was separated from the team for the last two hours, while they were all hanging out together.

“To represent them all was a great honour.

“I only heard about it the day before, so I didn’t get any flag-waving practice or anything.

“I was crying before I even went out to the stadium.

“Compared to the competition, I felt like there was more pressure.

“I’ve got so much respect for everyone and I’ve learned so much over the last two weeks.”

Yarnold came into the Olympics as one of the favourites after claiming the World Cup title but admitted she was still nervous ahead of her first run.

“It was so nerve-wracking preparing for that first run because I’d done everything I could,” she said.

“The track record with the first run – that was a complete surprise. I still haven’t really seen the time-sheet.

“Looking back on the whole thing, I can’t really believe it went so well. I’m so, so pleased with it all.

“It’s hard to start to explain how it all began. It started when I was a teenager.

“I was introduced to the wonders of the Olympics through Denise Lewis, and then other British athletes too.

“About two years ago I started training as a full-time athlete.

“This year on the World Cup circuit I had some great performances, so I was learning lessons the whole way through.”

Chef du mission Mike Hay hailed Britain’s largest winter Olympics haul since the inaugural 1924 games, aiming for more medals and funding for the next games in PyeongChang.

Targeting increased funding for four years’ time, Hay said Team GB’s four-medal performance deserves respect.

“This return is definitely something we can be proud of,” he said.

“And we will certainly look towards increased funding for the future. I wouldn’t be surprised if we surpass four medals at the next games.

“Across the board our performance has changed, so there’s a great opportunity and a great profile that’s hopefully been set across Great Britain from the medals we’ve won here.

“I’m pretty optimistic we can grow again, so hopefully the funding will rise again for the future.”

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, meanwhile, hailed the Games and admitted Russia had delivered on its promise. The Sochi Olympics have cost Russia a reported £30m to stage.

Bach said: “We all have enjoyed exceptional conditions in these Olympic Winter Games.

“Our Russian hosts had promised excellent sports venues, outstanding Olympic Villages and an impeccable organisation.

“Russia delivered all what it had promised.”

Bach thanked Sochi, Russia and, in particular, the athletes, who he suggested had delivered “a message of a society of peace, tolerance and respect” with the community they had formed at the event.

A major talking point in the build-up to and duration of these Olympics has been Russia’s hard-line laws on ‘’non-traditional’’ sexuality, widely seen as an attack on gay rights.

And addressing the athletes, Bach said: “By living together under one roof in the Olympic Village you send a powerful message from Sochi to the world: the message of a society of peace, tolerance and respect.

“I appeal to everybody implicated in confrontation, oppression or violence: act on this Olympic message of dialogue and peace.”