Grant eyes Olympic team qualification as National Gymnastics Trials begin
Published:Saturday | February 11, 2023 | 12:44 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
In a critical championship year for Jamaican gymnastics, Jamaica Gymnastics Association president Nicole Grant is hoping that the road to a potential Olympic team qualification will begin with strong performances when the Supreme Ventures National Trials and Gymnastic Classic begin today at 10 a.m. at the Jamaica School of Gymnastics training centre.
The two-day championships will determine the team that will represent Jamaica at the Pan American Championships in May in Colombia. It will also serve as the first step in their bid to secure three consecutive Olympic qualifications, something that Grant is targeting.
“From there (The Pan American Championships) hopefully they will qualify for the Pan Am Games and ultimately, the World Championships. And from the World Championships this year, they have the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics. We want to have three consecutive Olympians at gymnastics. It is important for us because in any sport you want to compete at the highest level and competing at the Olympics is one of the highest levels you can aspire to compete,” Grant told The Gleaner.
Grant is also hoping that Jamaica will get a team slot for Paris Olympics but she said the focus now is on evaluating the talent on display and see who meets the requirements for international competition.
“We want to see not just one spot. We are hoping we can get a team spot. Our goals and objectives are kind of high where that is concerned. But we must have dreams,” Grant said. “We are pushing for a team spot hopefully but before we get there, let’s see what happens at the trials because you can’t do anything unless we go through the trials. We will see (at the trials) who makes the final cut.”
Danyella Holmes, who competed at last year’s Commonwealth Games, will be in action at the championships as well as British-born Tyesha Mattis who made the switch to compete for Jamaica and will be competing locally for the first time. Grant said that Mattis’ adaptability is one of her greatest qualities and is looking forward to her displaying her skills in front of the Jamaican audience.
“She always brings her best. She just does whatever she needs to do to be the best that she can be at whatever apparatus that she is working on. That is something with her that I admire,” Grant said.
Other competitors include Jamilla Duffus and Alana Walker. The latter is nursing an injury but is expected to be in action at the Classic.