Jon Eley has said that he is expecting to face "tough" competition in the quarter-finals of the 500m short track speed skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi later this week.

Great Britain's opening ceremony flagbearer finished second in his heat earlier today to go through to the next stage, which takes place on Friday.

The 29-year-old told reporters: "I've been waiting for a while to get out there after Thursday's performance [in the 1000m]. It was a good start, I tucked in behind the Russian and I'm very pleased to come through in second.

"It is going to be tough but it helps we lost the Olympic champion, which weakens the competition a little bit. It's back to back races now, three in a row, and I need to be prepared.

"Come Friday I will be tuned into the same performance, it couldn't have gone any better for me. I didn't quite get it right for the 1000m but I did today."

Eley, who is competing in his third Winter Olympics, finished fifth in the 500m in Turin in 2006.