Vivian Earns Pre-Olympic Training Camp Invitation
June 5, 2012
CANBERRA, Australia -
Former Oregon State gymnast Olivia Vivian is among 12 gymnasts invited to participate in the Australian women’s pre-Olympic training camp next week in Canberra, where the final squad to London will be determined.
“This selection means that I get another opportunity to compete in the sport that I love,” Vivian said. “It means that I get to compete with the best that Australia has to offer and to help the team in any way I can. I don’t know if the team will need a bars specialist for the London Games, but all I can do is go into the second trials and do my best. It’s a way for me to showcase my passion for this sport and show everything I learned at OSU.”
Following the first Olympic qualification trial held at the 2012 Australian Gymnastics Championships last week, a finalist squad of 12 has been selected to attend a pre-Olympic training camp and second round Olympic nomination competition at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, June 11-17. The final trial will occur at the camp, June 16-17. The Australians have qualified a full five-member team to this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
The Australian Gymnastics Federation announced the group of finalists Monday. The recent national championships were the first part of the Olympic trials process and will conclude with the training camp and secondary trials, June 11-17 at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. The Australians have qualified a full five-member team to this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
Among those invited to training camp are Vivian’s four teammates from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Georgia Bonora, Ashleigh Brennan, Daria Joura and Lauren Mitchell.
Australian national team coach Peggy Liddick says the remaining group comprises a good mix of ability both in the all-around competition and individual apparatus.
“Each of the athletes presents different strengths that we’ll be monitoring to determine the final team of five,” Liddick said. “Our main aim is to maintain sixth place achieved at the last Olympics, as well as underpinning our chances to support individual athletes to achieve podium finishes.”
In determining the final 12 athletes, the nomination committee considered performances at last week’s Australian Gymnastics Championships as well as performances in training and past international competitions.
The final Women’s Artistic Gymnastics squad of five is expected to be announced by the end of June.
