British junior gymnasts complete historic European Championships

Great Britain’s junior women’s artistic gymnastics team has completed a stunning 2014 European Championships by winning two gold, one silver and one bronze medal in the apparatus finals on the final day of competition.

The medals came on top of the team silver and all-around bronze already secured to complete Britain’s greatest ever medal haul in the championships.

In the apparatus finals Ellie Downie (SportsAid Award 2013) completed the full set of European Championships medals by adding a gold in the vault to the team silver and all-around bronze medal she had already won - single handedly taking Great Britain's all-time junior championship medal tally from two to five.

Ellie summed up her week saying, “I just can’t believe it; the whole week has been incredible. I knew coming in to the vault final today having qualified in top spot that I had a good chance. I just can’t put into words how much this means to me but I’m very proud. The British juniors have definitely made a big statement this week and we all have huge confidence for the future.”

And the medals kept coming. Amy Tinkler (SportsAid Award 2013, Lloyds Bank Local Heroes) was with Ellie on the vault podium adding a bronze medal to her Australian Youth Olympic and British Championships silver medals as she continues to make a name for herself on this piece.
Amy then went one better in the floor final where her powerful, perfectly performed tumbles led her to silver, her second medal of the day.

Amy was delighted with her performance’s saying, “I can’t believe it; we’ve all done so well this week. The results from all the girls have been incredible, the team silver was very very special and its continued from there. I didn't expect to win any medals today and to now have two is incredible, I feel very very proud and it gives me a lot of confidence for the future.”

Catherine Lyons (SportsAid Awards 2011 and 2013, Girdlers) then stunned the crowds with her highly emotive and beautifully performed floor routine to win the gold for Great Britain. The 13 year olds' performance was one of the highlights of the championships.

She said afterwards, “This is the perfect end to an amazing week; I’m emotional, excited and very happy. It’s been a bit up and down for me personally with the massive high from the team results and then just missing out finishing 4th all-around but I’m still only 13 and this is my first year as a junior so overall I’m very happy and proud.”

Congratulations to all the athletes and to everyone at British Gymnastics who contributed to this historic result.

Photo and story: British Gymnastics