Ellie Joins Team Scotland for Gold Coast 2018
Artistic gymnast Ellie Russell will be joining Team Scotland and competing in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The news of her selection was announced by Commonwealth Games Scotland today, after hammer thrower Rachel Hunter and road cyclist Andy Fenn were forced to withdraw from the multi-sport event. Ellie now gets her chance, as does shooter Lenny Thomson.
Ellie from Newtongrange in Midlothian will join the nine gymnasts already named, having also achieved qualification standards and been nominated for selection. With five men and five women now travelling to Gold Coast, the nation will have the strongest possible representation in the artistic gymnastics competition.
Ellie is coached by Sandy Richardson at West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics Club and is part of Scottish Gymnastics national performance programme. The 15 year-was the Scottish junior women’s all-around champion in 2016 and 2017 before going on to qualify for two apparatus finals in the same age category at last year’s British Championships.
Competing in her first year as a senior, the Newbattle Community High School student qualified for all four apparatus finals at last weekend’s Scottish national artistic gymnastics championships, winning gold on vault and silver on asymmetric bars and beam.
Speaking after hearing the news, Ellie said: “I am so happy and shocked to be honest, after the disappointment of not being named when the team was originally announced and I can’t quite believe I’m going to the Games.
“I have just been concentrating on training for the Scottish and British championships instead and after doing really well last weekend at the Scottish, this news just tops it off. I’m really glad to be joining the other girls in the Gold Coast.
“The past year has included lots of training camps and working on routines, trying to perfect everything and make them the best they could be for the selection competitions. I’m just happy for me and my coach that all the hard work we’ve put in has paid off.”
Announcing the changes, Jon Doig, Team Scotland Chef de Mission said: “It is always a bitter sweet moment when team changes happen at this late stage. You are extremely disappointed for those who have been forced to withdraw, whilst recognizing the exciting opportunity this presents to those called up.
“I would like to wish Rachel and Andy all the very best, and knowing them both I am sure they will be fully supporting their team mates from back home.
“I also look forward to welcoming Lenny and Ellie to Team Scotland. I am sure it will be a rollercoaster ride for them over the next few days, as we work closely with them to ensure everything is in place for their participation, but they both make great additions to the team.”
Scottish Gymnastics Performance Manager, Jamie Bowie, added: "We are delighted that Ellie has been selected by Team Scotland, which now gives gymnastics the opportunity to field a full women’s artistic team at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. This is reflective of the hard work and commitment that our gymnasts, coaches and club have put in over the last 14 months.
"The next milestone in the team’s preparations is the Gymnastics British Championships, and I look forward to seeing our Team Scotland gymnasts compete at the Echo Arena alongside all other Scottish gymnastics at the championships."
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games take place between 4 and 15 April.
Ellie Russell
Age: 15
Club: West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics Club
Coach: Sandy Richardson