GYMNASTIC twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova look set to miss the Paris Olympics as they struggle to qualify for Team GB.
The sisters won Olympic bronze medals three years ago in Tokyo as the four-person British squad stood on the women’s team podium for the first time since 1928.
Yet it appears increasingly unlikely the 19-year-old tumblers will be involved in the French capital in four months’ time as they are currently in rehab and not yet back to competition.
Jessica, the 2022 world floor champion, suffered a freak “full tear to my ACL” that has sidelined her since last October and required knee surgery before Christmas.
There is the slim prospect that if she is apparatus-fit come June or July she could be parachuted in as a late sub for the artistic gymnastics team.
Jennifer, meanwhile, had a clear-out op this year on her ankle, which has caused her long-term discomfort, but she does not have the qualifying points against her name for selection.
Speaking to SunSport at last weekend’s British Championships in Liverpool, which the duo watched from the stands, Jessica said: “It happened during a warm-up. I just did a simple drill. Unfortunately it just happened.
“From October to December, I did a lot of prehab around the knee to make it as strong as possible before going into surgery.
“I’ve got a massive, long journey ahead of me. Now it’s all rehab. It’s looking good but obviously the journey is very long with an ACL. I’m not putting a goal or a date on the end.
“There are going to be ups and downs along the journey.
“We aren’t looking at this Olympics, we’re looking at more Olympics ahead. We’re still young, we’ll recover.
“We have been supporting each other massively through the highs and the lows, especially as we’re at a low point at the moment.
“But at least we’re both going through it together, so we can support one other the best that we can.
“We know that we just have to recover our bodies and we’ll get there one day. It’s only a little bump in the road. It’s difficult but it also gives us the fire in our bellies.”
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The pair have spent time undergoing rehabilitation – which includes specialist physiotherapy and medical support – at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, a facility funded by £7million of National Lottery investment.
Whatever happens, unless they make miracle recoveries, they plan to be the biggest cheerleaders imaginable for the Brits across the Channel this July and August.
Jennifer, who like her sister was born in Dublin but relocated to the UK, said: “My rehab is taking a little bit longer than expected.
“It’s a six-to-eight week recovery. I’m slowly building back. But I haven’t officially been signed off yet.
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“Yes, we’d love to go to the Olympics. We’ve already done one Olympics before so deep down, we don’t feel like we’re 100% missing out.
“We’re already Olympians. We’re already Olympic bronze medallists. That’s a great achievement already.
“Missing this one, yes it’s really gutting, but we’re still young and have a bright future ahead of us.
“We’re so close, it’s amazing to have a twin sister being in the same sport, going through the same issues. It’s just really helpful to push through.
“Like Jess, I’m not putting a time frame or a limit to it. I’m focused on making my ankle as strong as it can possibly be, so the issue doesn’t happen again.”
