The 16-year-old ice queen is an outside chance of winning a medal, but as many viewers have witnessed at previous winter Olympics, strange circumstances can propel underdogs to instant fame.

Last week's late withdrawal of Israeli skater Tamar

Katz allowed the Mount Carmel High School student to gain a late call-up.

Lee has defied the odds to compete in her chosen sport at the highest level. She sustained multiple stress fractures in her spine when she was involved in a vehicle pile-up in the United States in December 2007, during a six-week stint in the country training with top ice skating coaches.

Although told to consider quitting the sport on her return to Australia, Lee recuperated under the guidance of her coach Kylie Fennell and physiotherapists and sports scientists.

She has trained with many experienced skaters including Jan Ullmark, David Pelletier and Jamie Sale.

Lee's event is on February 24.