Ruby Evans Says Paris Olympics Will Be A Dream Come True

By Jake Maddaford

Teenager Ruby Evans says it will be a dream fulfilled when she competes for Great Britain at this summer’s Olympic Games.

The 17-year-old from Cardiff is set to become the first Welsh gymnast to compete at the Olympics since 1996 after she was selected for the GB squad.

“This is a dream come true, I can hardly believe it,” said Evans.

“I have worked so hard with an incredible team of coaches who have helped me to make my Olympic dream a reality.”

“It’s going to be a big opportunity for me. I know these next few weeks are going to be hard but I’m going to fight for it.

“Hopefully, it’s going to be one of the best moments of my life, being in the Olympic village will be one of the best experiences I’ll get.”

https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1801272062541181189

Evans started training at the age of four, subsequently being spotted by Wales Gymnastics three years later.

Now, she will become the first Welsh gymnast to make an appearance at an Olympic Games since Sonia Lawrence 28 years ago.

“I try not to think about it too much, I just try to get my work done,” added Evans.

“My dad told me the other day that I was the first person since then, and I just said, ‘Wow! I’m making history!”

“It’s going to be great but what’s important is that we go out there and show who we are as a team.”

https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1801222246553305457

Evans says she took up gymnastics as a way of channelling her energy as a young girl.

“I was a very hyper child and my mum and dad decided to put me into some classes at my first gymnastics club to calm me down.

“They also put me into swimming lessons but then Welsh Gymnastics invited me to train with them full-time and that’s when I had to choose. My love for gymnastics definitely came when I chose gym.”

Wales Gymnastics chief executive Victoria Ward said: “We are thrilled to announce that Ruby has been selected to represent Team GB.

“This announcement is the culmination of an enormous amount of hard work, by Ruby, ably supported by a team of talented National Women’s Artistic Gymnastics coaches in Wales.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Ruby and look forward to the whole of Wales getting behind her as she competes this summer.”

https://twitter.com/WelshGymnastics/status/1801200913106796976

Evans has already had a successful 2024, most recently claiming silver in the European championships, adding to her individual golds in the Welsh and English championships and is also a five-time northern European champion.

She told Dai Sport exclusively last year that her goal was to compete in the Olympics.

Now, she is ready to achieve that goal before she is even out of her teens, the sky really is the limit for this young athlete.

https://twitter.com/sportwales/status/1801202425287553425

Read our recent DS stories on Ruby Evans

Ruby Evans Takes Silver Medal On Her European Gymnastics Championships Debut For GB