Downie vows to stake claim after tragedy
Team GB gymnast Becky Downie has pledged to continue her quest to be selected for the Tokyo Olympics despite the tragic death of her brother.
Josh Downie, 24, collapsed with a heart attack during a cricket nets session in Birkenhead, merseyside, last Thursday and passed away in hospital that night.
Becky, 29, and her 21-yearold sister ellie were in Cardiff preparing for Olympic selection trials when they were informed of the devastating news and withdrew from the behind- closeddoors competition.
a British Gymnastics panel were due to meet yesterday to pick the four women they would take to Tokyo, largely based on performances at the trials.
However, they will now delay their selection to give the Downie sisters another opportunity to try out for the team following the tragedy — a chance Becky wants to take.
Posting a video of her training on Twitter yesterday, Becky wrote: ‘ The hardest three days of my life but I didn’t come this far to only come this far.
‘I know Josh would want me to take it as far as I could and I owe it to myself to finish what I started. Doing it for us both.’
Becky and ellie won medals at the 2019 World Championships and were among the favourites to gain selection heading into last week’s trials.
a British Gymnastics spokesperson said: ‘ The most important thing right now is for us to support Becky and ellie and provide them with the space they need at this difficult time.
‘ Ongoing discussions are taking place with all relevant parties around any next steps.’
Becky and ellie posted tributes to Josh on social media over the weekend.
Ellie wrote: ‘my heart will never heal from this. my handsome brother, I will miss you every single day.
‘I will never understand why they’ve taken you from us but you will always be a part of us and I’ll love you forever and ever.’
Becky posted: ‘ No words can describe the pain we as a family are all feeling right now. Josh you were the most amazing brother. I will love and miss you for the rest of my life.
‘A life without you is unimaginable and not one I ever wanted to live but know you will never be forgotten.’
• TOKYO 2020 organisers faced fresh embarrassment yesterday after being forced to postpone the visit of International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.
With emergency Covid-19 measures in place in Tokyo, the IOC chief is now unlikely to visit until June — the month before the Olympics are due to start.