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World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: IOC says 'no resolution' to Israel-Indoneisa gymnast row but sport must be 'safe space' for athletes

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 19th 2025 at 10:24 GMT by BBC
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Britain’s Gymnastics Squad Prepares for Paris 2024 Amid Rising Competition and Evolving Rules

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris promise a new chapter for the United Kingdom’s gymnastics team as they navigate a rapidly changing competitive landscape and a redefined scoring system. A recent BBC Sport feature delved into the journey of British gymnasts as they push toward the Paris Olympics, highlighting the intense domestic and international preparation required to secure a place on the world’s biggest stage.

A Tight Road to Paris

The article opens by mapping out the timeline that British gymnasts must follow to qualify for Paris. The Olympic qualification window stretches from July 2023 through May 2024, with the British team’s priority set at the European Championships in Ljubljana, where a top‑four finish in the team event secures a direct Olympic berth. The feature details how England’s elite athletes – including Simone Biles’s compatriot, 22‑year‑old Ellie Wainwright, and rising star Tom Sayers – are training with an eye toward this pivotal competition. It quotes head coach Karen Henson, who notes, “The pressure is mounting, but the team’s resilience has never been stronger.”

The Shift in the Code of Points

Central to the article is an explanation of the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) updated Code of Points, which has added new opportunities for higher difficulty scores while tightening execution deductions. BBC Sport links to the FIG’s official documentation for readers who want a technical breakdown. In short, gymnasts can now incorporate more complex tumbling passes and vaults that carry higher base values, but the emphasis on clean execution remains. British gymnasts are adjusting their routines to incorporate the new 6.0 base for a full-twisting double layout on floor, a move previously capped at 5.7.

The article features an interview with senior British gymnast Sarah Kline, who describes how the team is experimenting with the new vault “to maximise our point haul.” She points out that the new system encourages risk‑taking, a change that British coaches are embracing to keep the team competitive against powerhouses such as Russia and China.

Key Players and Their Stories

The feature provides a profile of several key athletes:

• Ellie Wainwright – A bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships, Wainwright is focusing on perfecting her uneven bars routine, which has been a stumbling block in past competitions. She shares her training regimen that includes daily mental‑conditioning drills to manage the high stakes of Paris.

• Tom Sayers – The 19‑year‑old has burst onto the scene with a sensational floor routine that earned him the “Best Routine” award at the 2023 European Championships. His focus for Paris is to increase his tumbling difficulty while maintaining flawless landings.

• Sophie Collins – The 23‑year‑old is known for her artistic beam routines. The article cites Collins’s quote, “The beam is the ultimate test of concentration; every wobble can be the difference between gold and disappointment.”

Domestic Challenges and Team Dynamics

Beyond the physical training, the BBC piece examines the internal dynamics of the British team. Coach Henson talks about balancing senior veterans and fresh faces, a process that sometimes leads to tensions over apparatus rotation. The article cites an anecdote about a recent friendly match where a disagreement over the bar routine’s difficulty led to a heated discussion – a moment that the coaching staff used as a learning opportunity to reinforce communication.

The piece also touches on the support network that surrounds the athletes: sports psychologists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. A link to the British Gymnastics “Athlete Support” page offers deeper insight into the multidisciplinary approach adopted by the national program.

The Paris 2024 Venue and Schedule

In a side‑box, the BBC article outlines the venue details for the Paris Games. The gymnastics competition will be hosted at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, with a 21,000‑seat capacity. The schedule runs from July 20th to 29th, with team finals slated for July 27th and individual all‑around finals on July 29th. The article stresses that British gymnasts have already had the opportunity to visit the venue during a pre‑Olympic training camp, giving them a first‑hand look at the arena’s lighting, floor, and audience capacity.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Glory

Concluding the feature, the BBC Sports writers reflect on the broader context of British gymnastics. Historically, the UK has produced world‑class talents such as Rebecca Twigg and Danusia Zygowicz. However, the article stresses that the 2024 Olympic cycle will test the nation’s depth and resilience. It notes that while the British team’s medal prospects remain high, the competition is fiercer than ever, and the new scoring code adds an extra layer of unpredictability.

Through interviews, technical insights, and contextual analysis, the BBC article paints a comprehensive picture of the British gymnastics squad’s journey toward Paris 2024. It underscores the athletes’ dedication, the strategic adjustments to a new Code of Points, and the ever‑present undercurrent of teamwork and support that will shape their quest for Olympic glory.