Natasha McKay admitted mixed emotions after making her long-awaited Olympic debut.

McKay's road to the Games has been a long one and at 26 she was the oldest skater in the 30-strong field in Beijing.

But while finally getting the chance to skate on 'Olympic ice' achieved a lifelong dream, she admitted annoyance with her performance as the five-time British champion finished 28th after the short program.

And frustration that her sport's prized moment had been overshadowed by the presence of Kamila Valieva, the 15-year old Russian sensation allowed to skate despite testing positive for a banned substance in December.

Valieva was far from flawless but she was still good enough to see off rivals and carry a slender lead into Thursdays free skate.

However, the International Olympic Committee have already announced no medals will be awarded in Beijing, with legal proceedings expected to last long after the Games.

Asked if she had sympathy for the Russian at the heart of the biggest story of the Games, McKay said: "I have sympathy for whoever will be on the podium who won't be receiving their medals, it's the most important part of the Olympics and they won't get that chance.

"I wish it was a level playing field and it's not but they've made a decision they've made and I can't do anything about that."

McKay - who finished 17th at the recent European Championships - needed a top 25 finish to return to the ice for the free skate on Thursday.

Her short routine, set to Abel Korzeniowski's Song for the Little Sparrow, started with a fall on triple loop, while she cooly recovered to complete her remaining elements cleanly.

"It wasn't the performance that I wanted to have here, there was one mistake that was frustrating because I've been training it cleanly but that's figure skating and there will be mistakes," added McKay, who is coached at Ice Dundee by Debi and Simon Briggs.

"After that I put everything into the programme and the rest was clean. There's some mixed emotions, becoming an Olympian is my dream but I'd have liked to perform better.

"You have to forget about what happened and get your focus back and take it one element at a time.

"If I'd skated better perhaps I'd have been happier, My score was not getting me through unless something drastic happened."

The Valieva story continues to dominate these Games, leading to questions about whether skating should introduce an age limit for competitors.

"It wouldn't have been possible for me at 15, it came much later for me when I was 19. I'm just grateful it happened when I was older to be honest," added McKay, whose exploits in Beijing were broadcast live on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport app

"If you peak when you young, you peak when you young, skaters will skate amazing whether they are young or old. Raising the age limit will save bodies but whatever decision is made will be."

Watch All the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 live on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport app