Olympic sisters to spring into Rio action

Hucknall's Olympic sisters spring into action in Rio this weekend as they attempt to bring medals back to Nottinghamshire.
Ellie and Becky DownieEllie and Becky Downie
Ellie and Becky Downie

Becky and Ellie Downie are two of the stars of the Team GB gymnastics squad.

The women’s artistic gymnastics events will take place on Sunday.

Becky, 24, is a specialist on the uneven bars and beam while her 17-year-old sister Ellie, making her Olympic debut, excels on the vault and floor.

Friends, family and former teammates all turned out at the Notts Gymnastics Academy to wish them luck at a farewell party, but the girls will be supported out in Brazil by mum Helen and her partner, while their three other siblings will be cheering them on from home.

Fans have dubbed the duo the ‘Double Downies’ and they take impressive form into the world’s biggest sporting event.

Becky and Ellie claimed gold and silver respectively at the European Championships earlier this year in Bern, helping to secure their Olympic selection.

A team silver, added to Becky’s gold on the uneven bars and Ellie’s silvers on vault and floor, made it a successful event for Great Britain.

Team GB took four gymnastics medals at the London 2012 Olympics and are tipped by many to match that haul this summer.