Australia’s gymnastics results at the London 2012 Olympic Games were some of the nation’s finest to date and the young stars of the future hope to continue that good form at next year’s Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
A bumper team of 35 athletes across the three disciplines of artistic, rhythmic and trampoline have been selected to compete in the international multi-sport event taking place in Sydney in January, and they will have Australia’s best ever gymnast Lauren Mitchell leading them to glory.
Mitchell, who finished fifth on floor at the London Games, will be an athlete ambassador for the Festival and will live with the Australian gymnastics team in the Village, giving them guidance and support.
Among the eight female artistic gymnasts looking to follow in her footsteps is 13-year-old Queenslander Eden Tarvit. Originally from Wodonga, Tarvit started gymnastics at the age of four, following her older sister into the sport.
The AYOF will be all the more special for Tarvit as she will get the chance to not only compete among top standard international competition at the home of the Sydney Olympics, but also see her sister in action. Lara Tarvit, two years her senior, will be mixing it with the best – only not on the gym mat but in the diving pool.
"Lara started in gym, moved into tramp and now does diving," Roslyn Tarvit, the girls’ mother explained.
"We’re very proud of both of them. They were so excited when they found out they had each been selected. They always try and get to each others’ competitions when they can, but they are both pretty busy!"
The Rio 2016 Games is the ultimate goal for both girls, and with gymnastics on the up and up in Australia, it promises to be a great Games for the Aussie team.
Eight men have also been selected in the artistic gymnastics as they look to emulate the strong performance of Australia’s Josh Jefferis at this year’s Olympics. Jefferis achieved the nation’s best ever individual performance by a male artistic gymnast at an Olympics, a feat that would have inspired these young teenagers.
Bouncing into action will also be 11 young men and women competing in the individual and synchronised trampoline events.
Equally as spectacular will be the rhythmic gymnastics that will see eight Aussie women put on a dazzling display with the ribbon, ball, hoop and clubs.
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