Ruby Evans “Cruises” Into Olympic Final With Team GB

By Hannah Blackwell

Ruby Evans was watched by Tom Cruise as Britain’s women’s gymnasts kicked off their campaign to become Paris Olympic box office hits.

And the Cardiff teenage sensation admits she saw the funny side of Hollywood royalty seeing her fall ‘flat on her face.’

Evans, 17, combined with Beckie Downie, Alice Kinsella, Georgia Mae-Fenton and Abi Martin to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for Tuesday’s final.

And watching on at the state-of-the-art Bercy Arena was Hollywood royalty Cruise, joined by singers Ariana Grande and Snoop Dogg to catch a glimpse of American superstar Simone Biles compete later in the morning.

Team qualification secured for Ruby Evans, Georgia-Mae Fenton, Abi Martin, Becky Downie and Alice Kinsella ❤️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/JMMVGbjUTu

— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 28, 2024

Evans suffered a fall on the uneven bars but recovered to deliver a rock-solid display and firmly hold her own on a precocious Olympic debut.

And when asked about being in the presence of such a star-studded line-up – also including actress Jessica Chastain – she said: “I didn’t even know they were there. What the hell?

“I feel great then – to know you can be in front of those people.

“It’s amazing – I didn’t really know but they’ve seen me fall on my face now!

“I’m very proud. It was quite nerve-wracking but I knew I was going to do it.

“I think my score was a bit low on the floor but it doesn’t really matter because I can’t really change that now, so I’m happy.”

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Britain’s gymnasts make up some of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

Team GB toppled Romania in Sunday morning’s opening session and look set to compete for a medal in Tuesday’s hotly-anticipated final.

But to do so they will have to battle it out with the formidable USA, with four-time Olympic champion Biles back firing on all cylinders after her Tokyo turmoil three years ago.

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Biles suffered from the ‘twisties’ – a psychological phenomenon causing a gymnast to lose air awareness while performing twisting elements – in the Japanese capital but was firmly back to her best with a dazzling qualification display on Sunday.

And speaking of the influence of the remarkable 23-time world champion, Evans added: “She’s just out of this world isn’t she? She is great.

“I think she just competes by herself. I think obviously Rebecca is obviously a competition but I think Simone’s just… we’ve never had anyone like her before.

“And I don’t think we ever will ever again.”

With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

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