Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut on Thursday

Emily Harrop says she was born with bindings on her feet and poles in her hands.

On Thursday, she could have a Winter Olympic medal around her neck.

As a three-time world champion in ski mountaineering, the 28-year-old is a hot favourite to be on the Milan-Cortina podium as the sport makes its Olympic debut.

And yet, in a parallel world, it could have been the red, white and blue of the union jack flying in her honour, and not that of the French flag.