Richmond Gymnastics Association's Jen Bailey will bow out acrobatic gymnastics in style with an 'Olympic debut' in Rio later this month.
The 19-year-old and senior women's group team-mates Katie Fearon and Roxy Parker have been selected by the International Federation of Gymnastics to exhibit their sport in Rio as part of a gymnastics gala - also featuring Olympic artistic, rhythmic and trampoline disciplines - on August 17.
The trio have been a partnership for only 12 months, however, after finishing fifth at the Acrobatic World Championships in China in April, they have been chosen to perform at the Games to close the gymnastics event.
Up and away: RGA's trio will be appearing at the Brazil Olympics on August 17
It will be their final performance together as Bailey will retire after the event to continue her education.
Gymnastics' governing body is hoping for the acrobatic discipline to become an Olympic sport and the RGA team will be joined in Rio by the world champion men's four from China and the Russian mixed pair, also world champions, to showcase the sport.
Seventeen-year-old Parker, from Barnes, said: "I absolutely can’t wait.
"Acrobatic gymnastics is not yet an Olympic sport so this is an opportunity we never dreamed of.
"We were speechless when asked to perform and intend to make the most of our final time together."
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