Devon teenager Abi Martin named in Team GB Olympic gymnastics squad

Abi Martin, a teenager from Paignton, admits she laughed when she learned she would become an Olympian at Paris 2024. The 16-year-old is the youngest member of the 13-strong gymnastics team he British team for this summer's Paris Olympics and hopes it will be the first of many. appearances on the biggest stage of them all.

Martin, who has just completed his GCSEs at the Paignton academy, is now aiming for A* performances alongside his heroes-turned-teammates. “It’s unreal,” Martin said. “Ten years ago, I turned to my mother and told her I was going to the Olympics. Now I'm in my first year as a senior and I'm going.

“I’ve always admired all the girls on Team GB. But recently I've seen a lot of photos of me when I was younger with Georgia-Mae Fenton and also, when I became an elite gymnast, I had a photo with Alice Kinsella. I thought they were so cool.

“I remember watching the Tokyo Olympics in the living room with my mom thinking I might go to the next Olympics, but I never really thought that would be the case.

“As you get older, you set this goal for yourself, but you don’t know if it’s going to happen because sometimes it’s not really in your control.”

Martin, who trained at the South Devon School of Gymnastics. She knew she was on the train to Paris for a while before the announcement, but she had to keep the news a secret from prying friends and teachers. She is, however, glad to have had two contrasting points of focus during a stressful time.

“There was one or two days where I was a little all over the place, but it really helped,” she said. “I wasn't just thinking about my GCSEs, gym takes me away, but then school takes me away from gym and I'm thinking about it. I've been talking about it too much, so sharing the time equally has helped.

Martin is one of more than 1,000 elite athletes taking part in UK Sport's world-class National Lottery-funded programme, allowing them to train full-time, have access to the world's best coaches and benefit from innovative medical support – which is vital for its journey to Paris 2024. Games. Of the six men and seven women selected for the Team GB artistic and trampoline squad, eight are Olympic debutants and five are returning Olympians, including three-time gold medalist Max Whitlock.

“Team GB have proven themselves to be serious medal contenders in all three selected gymnastics disciplines and it is fantastic to be heading to Paris with athletes who not only have Games experience but also the experience of standing on the Olympic podium,” said chef de mission Mark. England.

“I am confident that the team’s eight Olympic debutants will build on their experience this summer and the team will once again make the nation proud.”

Whitlock will spearhead the men's artistic team and become the first gymnast to win four Olympic medals on the same apparatus if he adds to his two golds and a bronze on pommel horse in Paris.

“This Olympics is even crazier for me because it will be my last,” Whitlock commented.

“I’m excited to trust the process and give it everything I have because there’s nothing to lose at this point.”

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