Australia's Monette Russo in
action on the
beam.
Australia’s Monette Russo has been confirmed as a definite starter in the
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth
Games.
Russo, who came to national prominence by winning bronze at the 2005 World
Gymnastics Championships, is likely to only contend in the beam and bars due to
a nagging ankle injury, which would cost her a chance to win gold in the
all-round competition.
Head coach Peggy Liddick said that Russo is fit enough to compete, but
declared that she is only a 10 per cent chance to compete on all apparatus.
“She’s going to compete. How much she does is yet to be determined,” said
Liddick to the Herald Sun.
Russo successfully completed all four apparatus at the national team’s recent
clash with Wales in Canberra, but she fell well short of the form that saw
her win bronze at the world championships last December.
“I’m still not real convinced. She’ll have to do a lot of training in the
next week,” said Liddick on Russo’s chance to compete in the all-round at
Melbourne, though she remained quietly confident that Russo was a chance for
gold.
“On paper she has the program. It’s just (a question of) whether she can
deliver under these circumstances.”
Russo is joined by Naomi Russell, Hollie Dykes and Chloe Sims as all-round
gymnasts representing Australia at the Games.
Rod Laver Arena will host the Artistic Gymnastics competition from Thursday
16 March to Tuesday 21 March.
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