Commonwealth Games Scotland has today announced that seven gymnasts have been selected to represent Team Scotland in Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics at this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Shannon Archer, Frank Baines, Hamish Carter, Pavel Karnejenko, Cameron Lynn and David Weir have been selected for the Artistic competition whilst Louise Christie has been selected for the Rhythmic competition.
In the Artistic competition Frank Baines, Glasgow 2014 silver medallist and 2019 Scottish Senior All-Around Champion will make a comeback from retirement to compete in his third Games, lining up alongside his bronze medal winning teammates from Gold Coast 2018 David Weir and Hamish Carter.
Completing the male squad are current Scottish champion Pavel Karnejenko from Glasgow and Cameron Lynn from West Lothian, who are both looking forward to their first Commonwealth Games experience.
Edinburgh-born two-time Scottish champion Shannon Archer returns for her second Games, after a 10th place finish in the Individual All-Around event in Gold Coast. She also achieved 5th in the Vault final and competed in the Team Event helping the team secure a 5th place finish. She made her first appearance for Team Scotland at the 2011 Youth Games, cutting her teeth on the international stage at just 13 years old.
British Championships silver medallist, Louise Christie from Aberdeen will compete in the Rhythmic competition after joining the British team at the FIG Rhythmic European Championships in Tel Aviv, Israel later this month.
Commenting on his selection, Frank said, “After Gold Coast I actually made the decision to retire and had stopped training. However, when lockdown restrictions were lifted in 2020, I was seeing the guys I’d been to Australia with getting back into training and I realised how much I missed being part of that team. My shoulders have probably got one more Games in them so I wanted to take another crack at it!
“The Team Scotland squad is so strong for 2022, there’s a great environment and everyone is so supportive. There’s such a supportive environment between all the sports, athletes, and officials. It’s a real family environment and I’m delighted to be part of that again.”
Commenting on her selection, Shannon Archer is delighted to be on Team Scotland again for the second time, “I’m so happy to be selected again. After Gold Coast I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep training or not, and then the pandemic made everything that much harder – but I’m very proud to be part of the team again this time around.
“The Gold Coast experience was incredible, and I was so close to a medal in certain apparatus so I really wanted to give it another go and see what I can deliver.
“I’ve done a lot of work in building up my abilities and skills with my new club, and I’ve also noticed a huge change in my confidence which means I feel much calmer in competition than I ever have before.
“It’s a very proud moment to be selected for Team Scotland again and wear the saltire leotard. We don’t have the opportunity to represent the country very often so that makes it even more special!”
Speaking of the strong team heading to Birmingham, Team Scotland Chef de Mission Elinor Middlemiss said “We’ve got a real mix of experience within the team, from athletes who have competed on the Commonwealth stage before through to those heading for their first Games experience. The gymnastics competitions are always one of the highlights of the Games and I am looking forward to seeing this squad compete in the Arena Birmingham this summer.”
SELECTED ATHLETES:
Shannon Archer
Frank Baines
Hamish Carter
Louise Christie
Pavel Karnejenko
Cameron Lynn
David Weir
The Artistic Gymnastics competition runs from 29 July to 2 August, with the Rhythmic Gymnastics following from 4 to 6 August in Arena Birmingham.