Women’s Team Thrive in Gold Coast Atmosphere
Scotland’s women’s artistic gymnasts were fifth in the team event on the second day of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
This was the first time Scotland fielded a full team of five gymnasts who have all developed in and are based in Scotland. They performed well to equal the country’s best finish in this event, which was also achieved in the last three games in Glasgow, Delhi and Melbourne.
From the moment they entered the arena for their subdivision, each member of the team looked confident and focussed on their targets and the job in hand. They then had to wait to find out where the team would finish and who would qualify for the all-around and apparatus finals.
> How the women's team event unfolded
Their individual performances earned places in the following finals:
All-around: Shannon and Cara
Vault: Shannon and Cara
The following are on the reserve list for finals:
Floor: Shannon (first reserve), Izzy (second reserve)
Beam: Shannon (third reserve)
This is what they said straight after competing.
Shannon Archer:
“The morning was good. There was a great atmosphere in the gym and I couldn’t have asked for a better competition, to be honest. I’m hoping to make the vault and all-around final because they’re what I was aiming for and I am hoping to get the chance to go out there and compete again.”
Cara Kennedy:
“It was amazing, and just as good as the first one. I started well on vault and finished well on the floor, so I’m happy how I did and how the team did.”
Ellie Russell:
“It was really good. Just the atmosphere in the arena was fantastic, and everyone was really supportive cheering on every country.
“It was quite different to any event I’ve ever been in as it is a much bigger competition as the atmosphere was much better. Obviously, I was a little bit more nervous but in a good way! Even in this whole training period up to today, it didn’t really feel like I was actually here at the Games, but when you’re competing it is just amazing.”
Sofia Ramzan:
“It was exciting. It was what I expected but the nerves were higher than I wanted but in a good way as I managed to control them. I was happy with my performances. A few mistakes, but I enjoyed every minute.”
Izzy Tolometti:
“It was really great to go around with a good group of girls, a good team, and the atmosphere was brilliant so I enjoyed it.
“When we were waiting to march into the arena, as captain I was just getting everyone ready, getting their confidence up, reminding them we can do this, this is what we’ve worked for. But when we got in there, everyone did their job, they did their best, and I am really happy we’re top of the rankings at the end of the subdivision.
“I’m just proud and honoured to be captain of that team.”
> How the women performed in the team event
Congratulations to all the gymnasts, and we now look forward to seeing Shannon and Cara in the finals.
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