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Confident Mitchell arrives in London

 

Confident Mitchell arrives in London

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AOC
Confident Mitchell arrives in London

GYMNASTICS: Lauren Mitchell has arrived in London comfortable she has the mental and physical attributes needed to become Australia’s first ever gymnastics medallist but level-headed about concentrating on the processes that have made her successful in the past.

GYMNASTICS: Lauren Mitchell has arrived in London comfortable she has the mental and physical attributes needed to become Australia’s first ever gymnastics medallist but level-headed about concentrating on the processes that have made her successful in the past.

Mitchell goes into the 2012 London Olympic Games as one of the favourites after claiming gold in the floor at the 2010 World Championships. She followed that up with four gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games to underline her star quality.

The 20 year-old, who turns 21 just four days before the Opening Ceremony, is well aware of the extra spotlight and expectations but declared she was ready for the glare of Olympic Competition.

“There’s no doubt that it’s a different feeling this time around compared to when I competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing,” Mitchell said, after collecting her Australian Olympic Team uniform.

“There is extra attention but I still have to do the basics right and concentrate firstly on qualifying for the finals and that’s all I’m worried about at the moment.

“I have been doing some special mental exercises, which have been working for me recently so I’ll continue with that.”

Mitchell arrived with the five-strong Australian women gymnastics team in London Thursday and is happy to nestle in the middle of the group after she was the baby of the team in Beijing.

“Georgia Bonora (22) and Ashleigh Brennan (21) are older than me so I’m right in the middle, which is nice,” Mitchell said. “Our team has an average age of about 21 so it’s a good group and we’ll be doing our best when the competition starts.”

David Mason in London
Olympics.com.au