RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS: Brisbane’s Danielle Prince hopes to delight the Brazilian crowd with a funky and colourful ribbon routine in her Olympic debut in the individual qualifying rounds tomorrow.
The 24-year-old, who completed a podium session at Rio Olympic Arena today, said she had drawn on “a lot of different influences” to prepare for Rio.
“I was in Finland at the end of last year and a Russian choreographer, who is a world champion and is highly sought after, choreographed my routines and gave me my music,” Prince said.
“My leotards are from Italy. I have a designer there who I send my music to and give her an idea of my routines and colours.
“I have three new ones for the Olympics that will be a surprise. The other is from Moscow. It’s a funky one to play to the Brazilian crowd.”
Prince said she was most looking forward to her fun ribbon routine and unveiling three “surprise” new leotards in the hoop, ball and clubs routines.
“I love performing.; that’s why I’m in the sport,” she said. “When you can play to your personality with music it’s great.”
Prince, who qualified for the Olympics through a quota spot, said success in Rio would be PBs and “completing my four routines with no mistakes; and scores in the 15s”.
“That would be a dream come true,” she said. “That’s where I’ve been sitting this year; even some 16s at recent events.”
Prince, who narrowly missed Olympic selection in 2012, said it was probably a blessing.
“At the time I was quite upset; it took me a while to know I wanted to keep going to Rio,” she said.
“Now in hindsight if I had gone in 2012 I would have retired after that and missed all that I have managed to between then and now.
“I am really grateful for that. I spent six months in the UK last year and I have been to training camps in Finland and Russia and competition at the Commonwealth Games and three more world championships.
“I think everything happens for a reason … I might not have been ready then (in 2012).”
Prince’s competition schedule tomorrow is as follows: 10.35am (AEST 11.35pm) hoop; 12.05pm (AEST 12.05am Saturday 20 August) ball; 3.05pm (4.05am 20 August) clubs; 4.35pm (5.35am 20 August) ribbon.
Tracie Edmondson
olympics.com.au
