GYMNASTICS: Lauren Mitchell is the headline act at the Australian gymnastics championships but head coach Peggy Liddick says there's a new generation nipping at her heels.

The nation's most decorated gymnast, Mitchell considered retirement last year but then decided the 2016 Rio Olympics was a better note to finish on.

Mitchell will be amongst a hot field in Melbourne this week, with places in Australia's world championships team in Glasgow in late October up for grabs.

Liddick was impressed with the 23-year-old's progress since recovering from ankle injuries and re-committing to a full training program.

In Melbourne Mitchell will only compete on beam and floor, the apparatus on which she won the 2010 world title.

"She will do about 85 per cent of her capacity because she needs another 12 weeks to get herself fighting fit and that will be for world championships," Liddick said.

"We have to choose one time to peak and train smart with her but she's keen, committed and has rearranged her life to try to qualify for her third Olympics."

But Liddick said there was a new wave coming through who would also be in the running for the seven-strong team.

The long-time national coach named teens Rianna Mizzen from Brisbane, Darcy Norman from Perth and Eliza Freeman from Melbourne as gymnasts to watch.

"They're the 16-year-olds who are pushing all these seniors to do a better job," Liddick said.

"My plan is working and the seniors have all stepped up and we have five 15-year-olds who will be eligible next year so once again they will have to step up.

"It's always good to have that push from the bottom end."

While a top-eight finish in Glasgow ensured qualification of a full team for Rio, Liddick's long-term aim was an elusive Olympics artistic gymnastics medal.

"We're so close but we don't have seven solid all-rounders," she said.

"We're starting to get those holes filled up and we're closer than ever.

"We're certainly world-class medal potential."

AAP