Jessica Weintraub

When the build-up to the Paris Olympics got tough, rhythmic gymnast Jessica Weintraub loved the fact she could lean on her teammates.

“Even if we do have nerves, we have a whole team of wonderful people ... together we are very strong,” she said. “When we’re on the floor, everything else just goes away.”

Jessica, who was born in Melbourne but moved to Brisbane with her family several years ago, is part of the Aspire Gymnastics group. The group – Jessica, Saskia Broedelet, Emmanouela Frroku, Lidiia Iakovleva and Phoebe Learmont – performed well throughout 2023, winning medals at competitions such as the Sofia Cup in Bulgaria.

The group won a quota for Australia with a victory at the 2024 Oceania Continental titles in Budapest, Hungary. It was just the second time an Australian rhythmic gymnastics group has qualified to compete at an Olympic Games.

In Paris, with the same group, Jessica finished a commendable 11th place which was the best ever result for an Australian Team at the Olympics.