Team GB gymnasts issue statement of intent
Wolverhampton's Kristian Thomas today insisted Team GB's gymnasts issued a statement of intent – after a stunning Olympic qualifying round.
Wolverhampton's Kristian Thomas today insisted Team GB's gymnasts issued a statement of intent – after a stunning Olympic qualifying round.
Team GB announced themselves as medal contenders after topping the first men's qualifying session – ahead of reigning Olympic champions China – with a brilliant score of 272.420.
They are all but in Monday's team final with Thomas also leading the individual rankings with a score of 90.256 after six apparatus this morning.
And the Earls Gymnastics Club star believes their performance will make their rivals take notice.
"They will do and we've done extremely well," said Thomas, who won European Championship gold with Britain in May.
"We knew what we were capable of and we knew we could pull it out. But on the day it's a completely different matter when you have the adrenaline and nerves. Everything is a different situation.
"The home crowd is a massive advantage for us, we just need to make sure we do it again on Monday."
The 23-year-old, who lives in Wednesfield, scored consistently with 15.366 on the floor, 14.133 on the pommel horse and 14.566 on the rings.
He also scored an average of 15.983 from his two vaults, 15.366 on the high bar and 14.625 on the parallel bars.
But with the US and Japan performing after them this afternoon Thomas insisted Team GB must remain calm.
"The important thing is to recover and stay grounded. If we want to repeat this kind of performance we can't get too ahead of ourselves and run before we can walk," said Thomas, after team-mate and 2008 bronze medallist Louis Smith broke down in tears after a flawless 15.800 on the pommel horse.
"We can't worry about any of the other countries because they will look after themselves. Beating the Chinese was massive for us but they have done it millions of times. They know what it's like to be in this situation and they'll be back. They'll still be a medal favourite."
Olympic debutant Thomas competed at the North Greenwich Arena – formerly the Millennium Dome – as GB began their Games campaign.
And he admitted the team were desperate to start after missing last night's opening ceremony to prepare.
He added: "We just wanted to get going, when we first walked out there was such a big mixture of emotions with nerves, butterflies, anxiety and adrenaline. Absolutely everything was going through our veins but the rings was a steady piece to start on and it was important for us to be settled.
"It was an amazing experience."
