Crystelle Lake, 21, says she is excited to represent Team Scotland in gymnastics this summer – especially after missing out in 2022 due to injury.
Image of Crystelle competing in Luxembourg (Image: Supplied)
Image of Derek Johnstone (Image: Newsquest)
Talking to the Glasgow Times, Crystelle said: “I got injured just before the games in Birmingham, and I had to get surgery. That was a really tough time. So I am really excited that I get to compete this time and that it is in Glasgow – that’s extra special.”
Crystelle’s first appearance at the games is on July 25, where she will compete in all events in the hope of making it to the final on July 28.
Image of Crystelle Lake (Image: Supplied)
She is now looking for sponsorship ahead of the Games, due to the expense of participating in the sport and competing.
She said: “From equipment and leotards to travelling over the country for competitions, it all adds up.
“As I am getting older in the sport, I need physio and sports massages and that all costs money too. The amount of money needed is difficult, and attending the competitions is usually self-funded. I had to set up a GoFundMe to get to the University Games last year.
“I am lucky that I live with my mum. I know a lot of gymnasts who have to work full time to take part in competitions and that is really stressful.”
Crystelle’s mum, June, added: “We are looking to get some sponsorship from businesses, as the higher the level she competes in, the more money it costs, and because she trains so much, she doesn’t have time to work.
“When she lived in Glasgow, she was going to university in the morning, training in the afternoon, coaching in the evening and then doing university work. She had no time to recover.”
Image of Crystelle Lake (Image: Supplied)
Crystelle said if there was more funding and exposure in the sport, it may be easier for people to participate in it and compete.
She added: “Gymnastics does not great a lot of exposure. It is limited all year round, unlike football which you can watch a game of on the TV.
“If there was more exposure, there could be more opportunity for sponsorships and deals.”
Image of Crystelle Lake (Image: Supplied)
After the Games, Crystelle will continue to compete internationally with Team Scotland and Team GB – which she got into after placing eighth in the British Championships – and is aiming to get to the Olympics.
It comes after Crystelle moved from Glasgow to Telford to work closer with Team GB and focus solely on being a full-time athlete – which she says is great.
Image of Crystelle Lake (Image: Supplied)
Crystelle started her gymnastics journey when she was just three years old at a baby and toddler class.
She has since worked her way through the ranks to become Scottish champion several times, and is the first Scottish-born woman to make a senior GB artistic gymnastics team in well over a decade.
