A gymnast from Singapore, aiming to compete in the London 2012 Olympics, is undertaking her pre-qualification training at Marriotts Gymnastics Centre in Stevenage.
Twenty-two year old Lim Heem Wei arrived in the UK on Friday morning along with her coaches. She spent the weekend training at Marriotts before taking part in the Test Event in London this week.
Lim Heem Wei won a silver medal in the Women’s Beam event in gymnastics at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Along with Ridlins Athletics Track, Stevenage Football Club and Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre, Marriotts Gymnastics Centre is one of four pre-Olympic training camps in Stevenage. Between them they can provide facilities for training in a diverse range of sports including table tennis, trampolining, athletics, football and wrestling.
Councillor Howard Burrell, Executive Member for Children and Young People, Culture, Sport and Leisure, said, “I’m honoured to be welcoming Lim Heem Wei and her coaches to Stevenage today. Having a world-class athlete use our facilities is a fantastic endorsement and will, I hope, encourage many of our own local athletes in their sporting endeavours.”
Gymnast Lim Heem Wei said, “There are lots of uncertainties with the London 2012 Test Event so I am focussing on what I can control and practicing my routines. My preparation has been good and I just hope that I can deliver on the day. Training here in Stevenage is going well so far.”
Patrick Marshall, Head of Marriots School and Gymnastics Centre, said, “I am delighted to have the Singapore athletes at the centre as I specifically ensured that the centre would be open and available for pre-Olympic training during our extensive building programme.”
Derrick Ashley, Chairman of Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners, said, “I wish Lim Heem Wei lots of luck and am sure that her stay in Hertfordshire will be the perfect preparation ensuring that she qualifies for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Now is the time for Hertfordshire to forge lasting friendships with communities around the globe.”
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Pictures show: Councillor Howard Burrell, Gymnast Lim Heem Wei, Headteacher at Marriotts School Patrick Marshall, Derek Trotter Marriotts Gymnastics Centre, and Jon Heyes Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners. And Gymnast Lim Heem Wei training on the beam.
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The information contained in this press release was correct on the date of issue.