Australian artistic gymnast Jesse Moore has no idea why he strutted around suburban Adelaide as a three-year-old doing the splits, as if it was as normal a thing to do as someone tying their shoelaces.
“I really don’t know how I managed to do that, or even why,” said the 21-year-old of his tendency to ‘split’ morning, noon and night.
Jesse’s penchant to split, twist, and tumble led to his enrollment in a gymnastics KinderGym program. At six, he literally leapt into a high performance program after starring in a tryout at his school.
“I vaguely remember the early days,” said Jesse.
“I was just having fun with a group of friends; couldn’t muck around too much, but we did what young boys do and had fun.
“You don’t think of the expectations being put on you when you’re young. When some people get to that point, they wonder whether they should keep going or if it’s worth it.
“But when you love it like I always have, the training and the long hours become normal, as does seeing your friends who you actually spend more time with your family.
“In gymnastics you get close to the people you train with, and I have no doubt those long-lasting friendships were part of the reason why I kept going. That, and because I just love it.”
Jesse drew inspiration from his fellow athletes, citing fellow South Australian Sam Offord, who won two gold medals at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games gold, as someone who opened his eyes to the dedication required to reach the top.
“Sam's also from South Australia, and when I was younger, I’d watch him and I’d wonder how on earth he could possibly do them. It was incredible, and it gave me something to aim for.
“And there’s guys who I train alongside, like Clay Mason-Stephens.
He’s overcome so much, six surgeries, multiple ACL operations, and being born with only one pectoral muscle, to achieve great things. It’s really not hard to find inspiration.”
As the first South Australian male selected to compete in Artistic Gymnastics at an Olympic Games, Jesse hopes he can be a leading light for his home state to produce more Olympians.
“That bit of history means a lot,” said Jesse.
“I love South Australia; I love going home”.
“When I was told I'll be the first South Australian male to compete at the Olympics [in artistic gymnastics], it was a huge honour.
I hope I can be a role model for the kids and inspire them.”
Now that he’s in Paris, Jesse admits that while he'd only recently embraced the concept of owning the floor, it has given him an edge.
“I’ve only recently fully realised the importance of confidence in something like Pommel,” he said.
“It plays a huge role. Go into that shaky and you’re most likely going to fall off. Confidence is the best way to go.
“I’m also treating Paris like any competition, but I want to take in the atmosphere because I think it will be awesome. And I will be leaving it all out there. I’m going to give everything I have.”
The Men’s Artistic Gymnastics competition will take place at Bercy Arena from Saturday 27 July.
Daniel Lane
