Danusia retirement not the end
Grant-Brown confident of Francis continued involvement after retirement
JAMAICA GYMNASTICS Association president Nicole Grant-Brown has saluted Olympian Danusia Francis for opening the pathway to the Olympic stage as she said goodbye to active competition.
Francis, 28, announced her retirement from the sport on Sunday on social media, bringing to a close a decade-long career which saw her represent Jamaica for the last few years, getting to the Olympics in Tokyo and competing with a torn ACL.
Grant-Brown said the association was grateful for Francis’ time with the team and credited her for helping the sport grow locally.
“It is truly an honour to have had Danusia Francis as part of the Jamaica Gymnastics team. She has helped to grow the sport in so many ways. Competing for Jamaica at so many important gymnastics meets, putting us out there and showing the world that Jamaica does have the ability to be great in the sport,” Grant-Brown said.
Francis had qualified Jamaica for the Olympic test spot in 2016 during her return to the sport after a hiatus. Grant-Brown also praised her resilience in the face of adversity as she dealt with disappointments without wavering in her commitment to the longterm vision of the local programme.
Grant-Brown is now looking forward to what Francis will do after retirement in the way of helping to build the local programme.
“Her drive demonstrated her full commitment to Jamaica as she had choices. Her love for Jamaica shone brightly and that love was returned 100 times more,” Grant-Brown said.
“Her retirement from competitions for us only means that she will have more time to help develop the sport locally through coaching and consultation. We wish her good luck and God’s richest blessings on her future journey.”
In addition to achieving her Olympic dream, Francis represented Jamaica in its first-ever gymnastics final at the 2019 Pan American Games, finishing in seventh place.
VARIOUS CHALLENGES
In her retirement post, she expressed gratitude for what the sport has done for her, despite the various challenges along the way.
“It hasn’t been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. You have prepared me for the next chapter of my life. If I can make it to the Olympics and pull off a few skills on a torn ACL, I know I am ready for whatever life throws at me next,” Francis said.
“Thank you to British Gymnastics and Jamaica Gymnastics, the British Olympic Association and the Jamaican Olympic Association for investing in me and allowing me to represent you on the biggest stages, I am forever proud!”