Queenslanders competing in London for Olympic slots

January 11, 2012

Two Queensland gymnasts are competing against 38 competitors from across the world in the London Prepares Series for the last chance to secure a place for Australian men’s gymnastics in the Olympic Games later this year.

Thomas Pichler, 25, from Y-West Gymnastics in Jamboree Heights and Joshua Jefferis, 25, from Gold Coast Gymnastics in Miami hope to exceed the cut-off to secure the single place available for an Australian gymnast. Both boys train at the Gymnastics Queensland High Performance Centre in Chandler under coach, Serguei Chinkar. Jefferis, who went to London as a travelling reserve, took the place of Sam Offord from South Australia who was forced to withdraw after sustaining an ankle injury during training.

The four-day series commenced on January 10 at the North Greenwich Arena in London and it is anticipated that 25 to 28 of the gymnasts will make the cut with a maximum of one being from Australia.

Kym Dowdell, Gymnastics Queensland’s Chief Executive Officer who is currently in London, believes both gymnasts are performing to Olympic standards and is hopeful that an Australian will be competing in the men’s gymnastics event at the London Olympics.

“We are delighted to have two Queenslanders vying for an Australian place and look forward to an impressive showcase of their skills of the next few days,” said Ms Dowdell.

“This competition is exceptionally tough and while both gymnasts are under a great deal of pressure, they are both feeling confident and achieving good results to date.”

Should both Australians finish above the cut-off line, Gymnastics Australia will select one of the two gymnasts in May, following a selection period. If only one is successful, this will automatically qualify them to attend the Games in July this year.

Ends.

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