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Gymnast Watson seeks Olympic springboard
A YOUNG Leeds gymnast is hoping to use the Australian Youth Olympic Festival as a springboard to achieving his Olympic dream.
Ashley Watson, 16, who has already won a gold medal in an international event, was joined on his 23-hour flight to Australia by his three British team mates, Reiss Beckford, Max Whitlock and Sam Oldham.
Watson is confident that the strong team spirit in the GB camp can help him add to his medals collection at the five-day event which starts on Wednesday.
"The four of us have stayed together at training camps at Lilleshall so we know each other well and we've got a strong team bond," said Watson.
Watson clearly has aspirations for a future in gymnastics, and was motivated by his fellow countrymen's performances in Beijing 2008.
Looking back at last year's event, Watson said: "I watched Beijing on TV in the middle of the night, which was brilliant, especially watching Louis Smith on the pommel horse.
"I'd like to go on and replicate what he's done, or even better it."
Since taking up gymnastics at the age of seven, muscular Watson has honed his talents at the City of Leeds gymnastics club, and says his passion is built on 'the excitement of learning new skills and the style of the sport'.
The Australian Youth Olympic Festival showcases the best in young talent from around the world, with around 1,600 athletes from 24 countries participating in this year's event.
Watson has a hard act to follow, with 91 of Team GB's 106 athletes returning from the games with at least one medal in 2007.
Eight British athletes from the 2007 event graduated to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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