Express & Star

Kristian Thomas to miss Gymnastics World Cup event in Birmingham

Olympic medallist Kristian Thomas insists he cannot wait for the upcoming Gymnastics World Cup in Birmingham – even though he will not be taking part.

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The 28-year-old, from Wolverhampton, was at Arena Birmingham yesterday to promote the event, which takes place there on March 21 and 22.

He was part of the GB men’s team that claimed bronze at the London 2012 Games, and also achieved individual bronze on vault at the 2013 World Championships and floor gold at the 2015 European Championships.

Thomas last competed at the Rio Games, where he captained the GB Men’s team that finished fourth and made the individual floor final, ending up seventh.

WATCH Kristian talks to the Express & Star's Joe Edwards

On the World Cup, Thomas said: “I won’t be competing because it is an all-round event, but I will definitely be here.

“I will be supporting my teammates – supporting the men and women that will be competing, the athletes.

“Being so local, it obviously means that bit more to me.”

While Rio team-mate Max Whitlock is currently competing at the World Championships in Montreal, Canada, Thomas has taken a break over the past 12 months.

In that time, he has started a strength and conditioning course at the University of Wolverhampton, set up a business and got married.

Get your tickets at https://www.gymnasticsworldcup.co.uk/