Luckily for Ellie, she had elder sister Becky to lead the way. Navigating the gymnastics universe with aspirations to make it on the global stage is an adventure not intended for the faint of heart. Just ask world medalists, and sisters, Becky and Ellie Downie. The full review, which was set up by UK Sport and Sport England in July 2020, is not expected to be completed until after the Tokyo Olympics.To borrow the term “mental gymnastics” and add new context to its meaning, training for any gymnastics event is just as much-if not more-a mindset practice as it is a physical one. The British team in Tokyo will comprise the 2019 European beam champion Alice Kinsella, 20, the 2021 European uneven bars bronze medallist Amelie Morgan, 18, and the identical twins Jennifer Gadirova and Jessica Gadirova, who are 16.Īn ongoing review into abuse by Anne Whyte QC revealed in March that British Gymnastics received 300 complaints a year on average between 20. “I would say it comes as a shock but after how we’ve been treated this year it’s not really,” she tweeted. However, Downie’s sister Ellie, who withdrew herself from consideration following the family tragedy, made her displeasure felt on social media. He added that independent members of the panel had observed the decision, including the BOA and British Athletes Commission, and that Downie’s subsequent appeal had been rejected. Thomas said that Downie had missed out after the number of places in the women’s team went down from five to four, and a decision was made to prioritise all-rounders for the team event rather than those with individual specialities. “For me I’m very confident the team were considered on their gymnastic merits and nothing else,” he said. He also denied that Downie had been punished for speaking out. “The panel viewed that based on current form they hadn’t seen the level of performance required to win a medal.” “Many will have seen some very good performances from Becky in 2019,” he said. However, the British Gymnastics performance director, James Thomas, insisted the decision was based purely on merit. With Becky having criticised the culture in British gymnastics, it’s hard not to assume that their motivation in effectively ending her career is a sinister warning to those who might speak out in future.” “It is incomprehensible why the bars specialist has been dropped in a year she achieved a 6.8 SV in training in what has been touted as one of the most difficult routines in the world. “The decision to exclude her from the Tokyo team is a total shock. “Becky Downie is on world-beating form and easily one of the most talented women’s artistic gymnasts of her generation,” its statement said. The decision was immediately condemned by Gymnasts for Change, a group of former gymnasts – including the Olympians Jennifer Pinches and Hannah Whelan – who are making a group-claim lawsuit against British Gymnastics, alleging physical and psychological abuse. However, a selection panel overlooked her for a place on the four-member team and she has not been named among the three reserves. Last month Downie was granted an additional trial following the sudden death of her brother Josh.
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