Mitchell and Vivian Selected for Commonwealth Games
Western Australian Institute of Sport athletes Lauren Mitchell and Olivia Vivian have earned selection onto the Australian women’s artistic gymnastics team for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The pair was named in the five-strong women’s team joining Victorians Larrissa Miller, Georgia-Rose Brown and Mary-Anne Monckton after selections were announced following the weekend’s Australian Gymnastics Championships at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena.
The competition saw Lauren Mitchell claim a fourth national title on floor, with the 22 year-old scoring 14.550 in her pet event to win ahead of Georgia Godwin (13.6), and teammate Olivia Vivian (13.350).
Mitchell also finished third on beam, returning a score of 13.9 behind champion Monckton (14.2) and NSW’s Emma Jane Nedov (14.150).
Having faced a battled to recover in time from a serious shoulder injury, Mitchell told AAP she was delighted to make the team, believing 12 months ago it wouldn’t be possible.
“It’s taken quite a long time to get back and rehabilitate after having the shoulder surgery in March last year,” Mitchell said.
“This time last year I didn’t think I’d be where I am now, but all the work by my team, all the physio and massage, has been worth it.
“The first moment when I woke up after the surgery and the drugs were wearing off it felt like my arm was never moving again.
“Then I can remember when I was lying down on my back and I actually touched the floor behind me, I jumped up and was so excited.
“That was one of those little milestones when I really believed I would get back for Glasgow.”
For Vivian, Glasgow represents a similar triumph of courage, having contested National Championships with a damaged hand sustained after a fall on beam last month.
The 2008 Beijing Olympian managed to push through and was rewarded with a highly impressive silver medal in the un-even bars final, scoring 14.225 for second place behind Miller’s outstanding 15.175.
Having completed a College degree at the University of Oregon on a gymnastics scholarship post Beijing, Vivian will be competing in her first Commonwealth Games campaign, a fact the 25 year-old veteran is eagerly anticipating.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how this team will work together in Glasgow to produce medal winning results. The Olympic like atmosphere is also another aspect that can’t wait to be a part of again,” she said.
“It’s a relief to be selected and a bit of a shock because the competition was very tough for a place on this team. It’s truly rewarding, not just for my work that I put into the preparation, but for all the other people and programs that supported me to get here.
“We have a very experienced team so I believe that we will be able to produce high scoring performances with full confidence and pride for our country.”