High praise for Sports Park from London-bound GB gymnast

23 January 2012

One of Great Britain’s most exciting gymnastics prospects, Danusia Francis, visited Surrey Sports Park this week to showcase her gymnastics talents ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Seventeen year-old Francis helped the Team GB Artistic Gymnastics team qualify for London 2012 last year, alongside Beth Tweddle and the rest of her squad, after finishing fifth at the World Championships – the highest a British artistic gymnastics team has ever placed at a World Championship.

Danusia was full of praise for the University of Surrey owned Sports Park on her visit, and made clear the important role sports facilities like it play in helping professional athletes train ahead of major events.

She said, “Surrey Sports Park is great. When I was walking around I was amazed by the facilities – they are so good! I was even tempted to have a quick go on the climbing wall!

“Facilities such as this are so important in helping athletes train for major competitions. Without good facilities no athlete can train properly and reach their goals.

“A complex like Surrey Sports Park has so many different facilities in one place, which is such a big help and advantage when preparing for something as huge as the Olympics.”

Based in Surbiton, Francis trains at Heathrow Gymnastics Club and balances a grueling training schedule alongside studying for her A-Levels.

London 2012 is the first Games at which Danusia will be old enough to compete, and she is confident she will be selected for Team GB and achieve her first taste of the Olympic Games on home soil.

She said, “It’s been a dream ever since I was young, so if I get my chance it will be amazing!”