I am absolutely delighted to have been selected for the Great Britain women’s team for next month’s artistic gymnastics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
For me, it’s ‘Doha here I come’, and I’m proud to have been selected to represent my country alongside Ellie Downie, Becky Downie, Kelly Simm, and Georgia-Mae Fenton. I will be in top class company.
As I have said consistently, my personal goal is to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games in two year’s time, and success in Doha will be a big step forward towards achieving that dream.
The World Championships in Doha represent the start of the qualification process for the 2020 Olympics. Competing against the very best is as good as it gets, and a great measure of the progress I’m making towards fulfilling my Olympic ambition.
I know that every time I compete I am showcasing myself in front of the selectors, and that is as much a massive incentive for me as achieving medal winning placings in the competition.
I’m really looking forward to it, and after the excitement of winning three medals at the Commonwealth Games in Australia earlier this year, if I can medal at a World Championship event, well…I will be one very happy 17 year old!
The championships, by the way, take place at the Aspire Academy Dome in Doha from the October 25th to November 3rd, and will include competitions in the all-around, individual apparatus and team events; with the main focus for many nations centred on the team competition, which presents an early opportunity for Olympic qualification.
Quite an incentive!
As ever, thank you for all the support I receive, from family, coaching staff, and colleagues. And a huge thank-you, too, for all the goodwill and support I get from fans of gymnastics. It is really appreciated!
Alice x