Four years ago gymnast Crystelle Lake was on the brink of realising her dream of competing at the Commonwealth Games when it was snatched away at the last minute. Nominated for selection for Team Scotland she had to withdraw from Birmingham 2022 with an ankle injury and underwent surgery just a month before the Games began.

It was a set back that was tough to take, but she’s channelled everything into coming back stronger and better than ever. With selection just around the corner, she’s been focused on putting herself back in the frame for a home Games at Glasgow 2026.

Daughter of Scottish Football Hall of Fame inductee Derek Johnstone, who won three league titles, five Scottish Cups, five League Cups and a European Cup Winners’ Cup with Rangers in the 1970s and 80s, it was her mum June who got her into gymnastics at a young age and both have supported her throughout her career.

With a recent relocation from Glasgow to train in Shropshire, she’s also called on her dad’s experience of striking out on his own as a young player as she settles into the move away from home. Now training at Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club under Brett Ince and Christine Still, coaches to gymnasts such as Olympic medallist Alice Kinsella, she’s relishing training alongside those achieving at the top level.

She’s come a long way since the highs and lows of 2022 and looking back she’s reflective and philosophical about the impact of her injury.

“It was obviously hard to come back from,” she says. “I’m lucky I’ve got a great support network around me. I’ve got my family, I’ve got sport psychologists and my coaches. Just having a good team around you to pick you back up when those disappointments happen is a great thing.

“It was really hard, especially being that close to going and then having to pull out. Sitting at home watching on TV, thinking I could have been there. But I think it was also important for my career because it sparked that motivation to go for the next one. Although it was tough, if it hadn’t happened, I don’t know if I’d be at the level I’m at now.”

The resilience and hard work is paying off with a stellar year in 2025. Crowned Scottish All-Around Champion in March, she was then selected for the GB team at the World University Games in Germany where she took top 10 finishes in both the Individual All-Around and Team competition. She capped the year with yet another personal best at a closed selection event in November.

“It was such a great year, I couldn’t ask for much more. The World University Games was my first time representing GB so that was really special, because that had been a big goal of mine for a long time. It was the most amazing experience and it was a multi-sport event as well, so that will be quite similar to the Commonwealth Games. To get experience like that is so important.”

She’s hoping 2026 will prove to be even better and that she’ll finally get the chance to march out in a Team Scotland leotard at the Commonwealth Games. Memories of Glasgow 2014 are also fuelling excitement at the prospect of realising that dream.

“The Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle event for representing Scotland. It’s something I’ve always wated to do and obviously the last Games was quite a disappointment for me. The fact that I’m in contention for this one and it’s going to be in Glasgow is extra special.

“I’d love to say that if I had clean performances I’d be in with a chance of a medal, but I do just want to soak up the whole experience as well. We never thought we were going to get another Games in Glasgow and the fact that we did is just amazing.

“I went to watch Glasgow 2014 as a fan. I was only 10 at the time and I remember the Scotland team being lined up outside and I was too shy to go and say hello to them. It’s crazy that that could now be me on that team. Glasgow crowds are always amazing, and I remember it from 2014. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.”

Gymnastics will take place at The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome & Arena with competition running from 24 July to 28 July. Register for the final ticket drop on 2 June to see Team Scotland compete here.