Gold Coast call-up for thrilled Ellie
Heading to Gold Coast
West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics member Ellie Russell has received a late call-up to the Commonwealth Games.
The 15- year- old will join the nine gymnasts already named to the Scotland squad, which includes Uphall’s Shannon Archer.
Ellie is coached by Sandy Richardson at West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics Club and is part of Scottish Gymnastics national performance programme.
She was the Scottish junior women’s allround champion in 2016 and 2017 before going on to qualify for two apparatus finals in her age category at last year’s British Championships.
A delighted Ellie, who lives in Newtongrange, 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 at the Scottish this news just tops it off.”
She added: “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.”
Scottish Gymnastics performance manager Jamie Bowie said: “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 in Liverpool alongside all other Scottish gymnasts at the championships.”
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games take place between April 4 and 15.