Devon Gymnast heads to Paris after telling mum aged 6 'I want to be an Olympian'
Abi Martin's family and supporters say she's incredibly hard-working and a great role model for youngsters
Last updated 16th Jul 2024
A Devon Gymnast has arrived in Paris - as she looks to qualify for the final of the Olympics.
Abi Martin trains at the South Devon School of Gymnastics in Paignton and has won countless junior awards. The 16 year old is now eligible to compete for the senior squad.
She'll compete with other Team GB members in the qualifications on Sunday 28th, before looking to make the televised finals two days later in things like the floor and vault categories.
She said: "I'm obviously excited, there's some nerves there but the whole experience is going to be awesome."
Abi will receive her GCSE results after the game and has recently returned from a Team GB training camp at Lilleshall where they practiced competition day routines and preparation.
"I think ever since I was younger, I knew gymnastics was going to be for me," she added
"I turned around to my mum when I was six and said I wanted to go to the Olympics - and since then I've worked hard to reach that dream.
Mum, Ellie Martin, said: "It's just been her dream and she's followed it through - and we've supported her all the way.
"You don't expect as parents to actually reach the target goal so quickly - if all all you know. She's done something amazing."
Head Coach at South Devon, Rachel Wignall, said: "It was always something we knew was a possibility with her, but she's only 16 this year and so this will be the first year that she's eligible for senior competition. I think the aim was always LA in 2028 - we always thought that was maybe a little more achievable.
"She's an incredibly special gymnast who works her hardest and is actually very determined and self-motivated."
Mrs Wignall says Abi inspires all the other youngsters at the gymnastics school as a role model and spends time supporting and encouraging them.
A spokesperson for Team GB said: "Despite only recently becoming age-eligible for senior competition, she already boasts a silver medal from the 2024 European Championships in Rimini. Born and raised in Paignton, Devon, she’s sure to be the talk of the town as she becomes the latest British prodigy to burst onto the Olympic scene this summer."