Olympic medallist Louis Smith included in 13-strong gymnastic team for the Commonwealth Games
Last Updated: 17/06/14 1:39pm
Olympic medallist Louis Smith has been named in Team England’s squad of 13 gymnasts for next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Fellow bronze medal winners Sam Oldham, Kristian Thomas and Max Whitlock have also been selected, while 18-year-old Nile Wilson completes the line-up for the men’s artistic gymnastics.
European champion and double Commonwealth Games medallist Rebecca Downie heads the women’s artistic team and she is joined by the three of the 2014 European Silver medal winning team - Claudia Fragapane, Ruby Harrold and Hannah Whelan, with Kelly Simm taking the final position.
Stephani Sherlock, Mimi-Isabella Cesar and Lynne Hutchinson will all compete in the rhythmic gymnastics competition.
Smith, who won silver on the pommel horse in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, retired last year but returned to full training in January in a bid to make the squad for Glasgow.
“I'm over the moon to have been selected for the Commonwealth team,” he said.
“This is something I've worked so hard towards since the end of last year and it's testament to my coach and everyone around me who have given me the support to get to this point.
"The Commonwealth Games is such an amazing competition and I can't wait to be a part of it again.
“To have another chance to compete in a major championships on home soil is something I'm really looking forward to. I'm absolutely buzzing to be competing at the top again, to be joining the boys as part of the team again, and I can't wait to get back out there and represent Team England at the Games.”
