Mitchell out of Pacific Rim Championships
Australia’s Pacific Rim Championships Gymnastics team has suffered a major blow with the news dual World Championship silver medallist Lauren Mitchell has been ruled out through injury.
The WAIS-AIS scholarship holder will miss the opportunity to compete against the world’s best in Melbourne later this month, but remains positive with the national championships, Commonwealth Games and World Championships all still firmly on the radar for 2010.
“I’m disappointed to miss the Pacific Rim Championships but it was a precautionary decision to make sure no further damage was done,” Mitchell said.
“The injury is not too bad, and I’m looking forward to competing at nationals and then the Commonwealth Games.”
Australian team coach Peggy Liddick confirmed Mitchell’s absence and said her recovery was the most important factor in the decision.
“There was absolutely no way I was going to take a risk on her by pushing it too early. She’s still in an air-brace, and she gets a scan next week to see how it’s healing and to see what the next step is.
“It’s more me being super cautious with her than anything else.”
WAIS will be represented at the April 29 – May 2 Pacific Rim Championships by youngster Emily Little who has made big strides in recent times. She is currently in France preparing for this weekend’s Paris World Cup.
Liddick said the selection of the three senior girls was the start of the ‘changing of the guard’ in Australian gymnastics as they head towards the London 2012 Olympics.
“I anticipate all three seniors, Georgia (Wheeler), Emily and Larissa (Miller) to be the core of our Commonwealth and 2012 Olympic qualification team at worlds this year.
“It’s a changing of the guard absolutely. It always happens the second year of an Olympic cycle. These kids are coming of age and are first year seniors and they’re certainly making their mark.
“This is a fantastic opportunity (for the girls), put them out there and see how they go. I’ve been going to the Pacific Rim for the last 30 years and it’s a fantastic meet.
“The USA are sending their top guns out, so they’re going to be absolutely fantastic, the best scores I’ve seen going around the world.
“Russia are deep and they’ll send some quality gymnasts out, China will be strong, and Canada, they’re sending out their best six, so they’re out to win a medal.”
Miller, Wheeler and Little will have their first big hit out prior to the Pacific Rim Championships this weekend, when they head to Paris for the French International World Cup event.
Held every two years, the Pacific Rim Championships will feature teams from Australia, USA, China, Russia, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, Hong Kong and Korea.
– With Gymnastics Australia