The New Zealand Herald

Aussie gymnast switches allegiance

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Women’s artistic gymnast Georgia Rose Brown has been named to the New Zealand Olympic Team for Paris 2024.

The 29-year-old earned her Paris spot by topping the rankings at the 2024 apparatus World Cup series on the uneven bars.

While the uneven bars are her primary event, she will compete in the all around competitio­n (vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor) at the Olympics.

“Bars is my favourite apparatus and the one that comes the most naturally to me but I still train all four apparatus and consider myself an allrounder,” Brown said.

“I’m looking forward to just immersing myself in the whole Olympic experience and enjoying it. Performanc­e-wise the goal is to hit all of my routines and possibly make an all-around final.”

Brown is experience­d at the top level of competitio­n, however, she is best-known for her achievemen­ts in a green and gold leotard, having won three Commonweal­th Games medals competing for Australia. In January, she concluded the formal process to switch national allegiance to New Zealand, with the applicatio­n ratified by the Internatio­nal Olympic Committee.

“I’ve had the opportunit­y to represent my dad’s side, so now I’d like to represent my mum’s side, too,” said Brown whose mother is a New Zealander.

“I’ve wanted to compete at the Olympics since I made my first internatio­nal team in 2010, so this means the world to me. Everything I’ve worked for throughout my career has paid off. I am so grateful.”

Brown lives in Melbourne and trains at the Melbourne Gymnastics Centre.

 ?? Photo / Getty Images ?? Georgia-Rose Brown has switched from Australia to New Zealand.
Photo / Getty Images Georgia-Rose Brown has switched from Australia to New Zealand.

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