GYMNASTICS: Australian Trampoline gymnast Jessica Pickering made her Olympic debut today, the first Women's trampoline athlete to compete at an Olympic Games for Australia since 2004.
Pickering, who earned her Olympic spot through the World Cup Circuit, was a late qualifier after she and fellow trampoline gymnast Dominic Clarke were able to travel to Brescia, Italy to compete in the final qualification events for 2021.
Sealing her spot in early June, Pickering then spent time in Portugal training before making the journey with Clarke to Japan and will have been overseas for nearly 12 weeks by the time she returns to Australia.
Competing in the individual event, unfortunately Pickering didn’t have the day of competition she was hoping to achieve. Obviously nervous going into her first jump, Pickering was unable to complete her full routine. After wondering on the trampoline and landing on the side matt, Pickering finished with a score of 17.840 and ranked 15th after the first compulsory routine.
Hoping to make up for the lower score, Pickering returned to competition for the optional second jump, however, unfortunately a missed connection early in the routine cut the performance short and only earned a 16.350 to end the qualification round in 16th place.
“It was very exciting, I was a little bit nervous being first up but I’m very proud to be the first competitor for the trampoline event which was phenomenal,” Pickering said.
“Even though it wasn’t my best competition, I think it’s one of my worst for a while which is bad timing, but even considering that I still enjoyed the experience and it’s an amazing opportunity for my career.”
Obviously disappointed after her first routine, her coach had come encouraging words before she made the second attempt.
“He told me to shake it off, he wanted me to still be proud of everything that I had done. (Brett) gave me a few corrections and tried to gear me up for my second routine.
“Unfortunately, my second routine also didn’t go my way but I’m still proud of how I presented myself on the floor,” she said.
Full of potential, this is not the last time Australian audiences will see Pickering, the experience giving her a new focus for what’s next.
“This competition has really lit a fire under me, wanting to experience this again and I know I can do better, so Paris 2024 is right in my line of sight.”
Shannon Knaus
