Gymnast Douglas Ross has already experienced a multi-sport Games with Youth Team Scotland, and he is determined to make the step up to the senior Games for Glasgow. A gold medallist at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man; Douglas has been working hard towards this summer, and he’s clear on what he needs to do to be in with a chance of making the team.
“I’m more focused now for sure”, he says. “After 2011 we sat down and set out my targets for the next few years and absolutely one of those was to make the team for Glasgow and to help the team produce a medal winning performance. I’m working hard in the gym every day to make my routines stronger and more consistent.”
“It’s always good to be able to use that past experience and to have been part of something like Youth Team Scotland will undoubtedly help me as I prepare for Glasgow. The Isle of Man was obviously on a smaller scale, but being part of a multi-sport environment, and how that differs to just being with gymnastics, is something I can use to my advantage.”
Being part of Team Scotland as a whole is something athletes enjoy, and Douglas is looking to build on his experiences from 2011. With some experienced athletes around him, he is also enjoying being part of a strong gymnastics set-up in Scotland.
“I really loved being part of Youth Team Scotland. Waking up in the morning and finding out about the other sports was great. The morale within the team was fantastic and I’d love to be part of it in Glasgow.”
“We have guys like Adam Cox and Andrew Mackie back in the frame, and they are really great at motivating us all and helping us to stay focused. Having guys who have been part of a major Games before is a huge benefit and they can teach us all a lot going into it.”
Last weekend, Douglas finished 11th with a score of 51.533 in the Individual Men’s Artistic competition at the 2014 Scottish Championships in Perth. He will now prepare for the English and British Championships that take place next month. It is likely that the basis of the final team for Glasgow 2014 will emerge through these competitions, which has left Douglas focused on the task in hand.
“The floor and the vault are my best apparatus, and present the best chance for me to make the team. I’ve got great support around me and I’ve been working hard on my routines over the past three years.”
“All I want to do from now is stay consistent, injury free and continue to show the selection panel that I can contribute to the team in Glasgow. After the British Championships we’ll have a good idea of the 6 or 7 guys looking to make the five places in the team. Hopefully if I keep working hard and hit my targets, I’ll be in with a good shout.”
You can follow Douglas on Twitter @DouglasRoss12
Photo Credit: PSB Photography/ Scottish Gymnastics