Gymnast Sam Oldham on not making World Championship team

Sam Oldham must be utterly sick of the medical room.

The Sky Academy Sports Scholar and GB gymnast has just found out he won't be risked for this month's World Championships. It will be an agonising few days in Glasgow for the 22-year-old, cheering on his team-mates from the arena seats.

Here's Sam's latest blog as he opens up about his disappointment but how he's using his latest setback as an opportunity to get in top shape for next year's Olympics......

It's been a tough couple of months for me suffering a double muscle tear.

Missing out on selection for the World Championships [in Glasgow October 19- Nov 1) is a hard one to take for sure. But looking back now with the benefit of hindsight it was a very tough ask of myself considering the amount of training time I lost.

The first injury to my left lat [back muscles connected to the shoulder] came about during a training camp in Portugal in August, where I fell from the High Bar. I was hoping maybe it would just be a case of taking it easy for a few days. That few days quickly turned into four weeks.

That left me with around 3-4 weeks to prepare for the London Open and the first trial for the Worlds team. I managed to get myself in relatively good shape going into the event. However, injury struck again on my first routine.

It was later determined that I suffered a small tear to my left Plantaris muscle [a fine rope like tendon that works with the Achilles to flex the ankle and knee joint} With it being the same ankle I had reconstructive ligament surgery on a year before and being in considerable pain, I made the decision to pull out of competition.

I was also taken out of the GB against France competition in Paris the following weekend. I stayed off my ankle for the next week and then began slowly building up to 6 apparatus ready for the final trial - a GB v Spain match at the Lilleshall National Centre.

I competed well considering the lack of preparation I had under my belt. I had a mistake on the vault but aside from this I had a good competition. The highlight was my High.Bar and score of 15.50 and my highest mark of 2015 meant I could walk away with a big smile.

Unfortunately the decision was made and I wasn't selected for the Team. I 100% back myself and believe I could help the team on my key events. But in this circumstance my lack of preparation and missing the first two trials means I will be watching from the stands.

The strength in depth of the Men's side is the highest it's ever been right now. The team that has been selected is incredibly strong and I have no doubt they will secure Olympic qualification in Glasgow next week.

I'll be cheering my team-mates but more so my close friends on in the Hydro Arena and I am so excited to see them do the business.

Since receiving the news I've taken some time to enjoy some awesome food and spend some time with my friends away from the gym. Mint Choc Chip ice cream is my 'go to' guy when I'm chilling out.

Going forward I'm taking some time off my ankle, to give it the best chance to rest up ahead of next year. I'm looking forward to taking part in a confidence day in Sheffield next week with my fellow Sky Sports Scholar and boxer Jack Bateson.

Once again I want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved with the Sky Academy Scholarship program for all their support during these tough few months.

Finally a huge good luck to the Men's & Women's teams at the gymnastics World Championships. Let's secure those Rio Olympic spots.

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS

OCTOBER 21-31: Olivia Breen - IPC World Championships, Doha

NOVEMBER 2: Elise Christie, World Cup, Toronto 

NOVEMBER 11-13: Siobhan-Marie O'Connor - BUCS Short Course, Sheffield